Huntington Beach Shines as Throwback to Old California
California's Democratic establishment continues targeting conservative Huntington Beach with legal challenges including forced ranked-choice voting as the city hosts the prestigious Lexus US Open of Surfing.
Huntington Beach stands as one of the last conservative strongholds on California’s coast, and that’s precisely why the state’s Democratic establishment continues its relentless campaign to undermine the oceanfront community known as Surf City, USA.
According to New York Post, Governor Gavin Newsom, Xavier Becerra—considered Newsom’s potential Democratic successor in Sacramento—and their party apparatus have persistently targeted the beach town for its political independence.
The attacks extend beyond government officials. Private attorney Kevin Shenkman recently secured a controversial court victory forcing Huntington Beach to abandon its current voting system in favor of ranked-choice voting, a measure residents neither requested nor approved at the ballot box.
Fighting Back While Hosting World-Class Competition
Despite the political pressure, Huntington Beach continues to thrive and defend its identity. This week, the city hosts the Lexus US Open of Surfing, one of the sport’s most prestigious international competitions.
Hurricane Fausto, positioned safely off the Pacific Coast and tracking westward, has generated ideal surfing conditions with warm water and substantial wave action. The timing proves fortuitous for competitors and spectators alike, with visitors arriving from around the globe following the recent World Cup that also drew international tourists to Southern California.
A Reminder of California’s Former Spirit
Huntington Beach represents something increasingly rare in the Golden State: a glimpse of California before homelessness consumed Los Angeles and before devastating wildfires destroyed communities like Paradise and Pacific Palisades, as New York Post reports.
The city maintains traditional values without sacrificing freedom. Until recently, jaywalking enforcement existed here—a public safety measure Sacramento legislators later deemed “racist” when applied statewide. The illuminated crosses still visible on hilltops throughout the region serve as reminders of California’s religious heritage, from the historic missions through modern megachurches.
California once embodied a place where innovation flourished, where citizens could succeed without penalty, and where people aspired to live rather than escape. Huntington Beach preserves that spirit even as much of the state abandons it.
Rather than attacking this coastal community, California’s leadership should embrace the Surf City ethos and restore it across the entire state. That former happiness remains achievable.
With information from New York Post
