The lawsuit filed by her former landlord was a stunt that was publicized by the “OC Independent,” a right-wing publication written and maintained mainly by Matthew Cunningham, one of the the most prominent and outspoken supporters of the attempted/failed Santa Ana Police Officers Association-backed recall of Councilmember Lopez. Coincidentally, the article was dropped the day ballots were mailed in the 2024 election and the lawsuit alleged that the plaintiff was having trouble serving Councilmember Lopez despite her being at the same place at the same time weekly for Council sessions as well as posting her community office hours and events online regularly. Corporate landlords, the California Apartment Association, and corporate realtors spent thousands of dollars against Jessie Lopez in the 2026 Primary Election because of her support of tenant protections and rent stabilization measures. The lawsuit was thrown out and official court documents can be viewed below:
“It is not a coincidence that no credible or established media outlet has reported this claim because it does not hold up to basic scrutiny. What you are seeing instead is a deliberate attempt by Sacramento insiders who have failed to deliver real results for our communities to manipulate voters with misinformation.
When opponents cannot defend their record, they turn to distraction and distortion. This is exactly the kind of politics people are tired of, where elections are influenced by money, smears, and backroom tactics instead of truth and accountability.
I trust voters to look at the facts, ask questions, and see through these tactics. My focus remains on delivering real solutions and representing the people with integrity, not engaging in manufactured controversies.
If anyone has questions, I am ready to provide the documentation and address this directly. Transparency matters, and the truth is on our side.“
–Councilmember Jessie Lopez
Click here to view the official court documents >
Read more about who is spending big against Jessie Lopez here >
