Candidate Close Up 2024: Jing Sun
Jing Sun, a realtor and twelve-year resident of Irvine’s District 3, is running to represent his district on the Irvine City Council. Sun brings to the race a wealth of experience from his nearly four years on Irvine’s Community Services Commission, where he currently serves as chairman. He was appointed to the position by Councilmember Tammy Kim.
If elected, Sun will focus on bridging the gap between older and newer neighborhoods and improving local resources, such as libraries and parks. He said he will lead with integrity and steer clear of special interest if he is chosen to represent District 3.
“I’ve always wanted to serve the community,” Sun said in a recent Zoom interview. “The Community Services Commission has been a great platform for me to understand the issues facing the community and how to maximize the use of city resources. After serving, I want to move forward to see the bigger picture and do even more for my community. That’s why I’m running for the Irvine City Council.”
A Realtor’s Insight
As a realtor, Sun has a unique perspective on the development of Irvine’s neighborhoods. While showing homes to his clients, he has noticed a significant gap between the older and newer areas of the city. He sees the need to preserve the heritage of neighborhoods like those in District 3 while also ensuring they enjoy the modern amenities that have made Irvine such a desirable place to live.
“I live in District 3, which I’d say is one of the older areas,” Sun noted. “I’d like to expand a program where homeowners can renovate their homes by getting interest-free loans from the city and waiving permit fees. This would make it easier for people to upgrade their homes, install solar panels, and so on.”
This approach, Sun believes, will help bridge the gap between older, established neighborhoods and Irvine’s rapidly growing new developments, such as the Great Park.
Revitalizing Infrastructure
Sun also sees modernization as a critical issue for District 3. He feels that not enough attention has been given to updating older infrastructure, such as Heritage Park Library, located in his district.
“Many families move to Irvine for its excellent schools,” Sun said. “In District 3, we have Heritage Park Library, which is outdated by modern standards. I love libraries and I think it’s important to ensure all areas have up-to-date resources.”
Sun proposes renovating the Heritage Park Library or even building a new one in the area, with modern features like media production spaces and collaborative study areas for students.
“Even though we’re going to build a new library at the Great Park, that’s not enough,” Sun emphasized. “We need to think about the people in older neighborhoods. Heritage Park would be a great location for either a new library or a major renovation.”
A Focus on Integrity and Experience
Sun’s candidacy is built on a foundation of community service. With over 20 candidates running for local Irvine office, Sun acknowledges that voters have their work cut out for them. He encouraged Irvinites to look for candidates who can be trusted.
“I believe integrity is at the core of effective leadership,” Sun said. “People need to trust that their elected officials are working in their best interest, and I’ve always approached public service with that mindset.”
Sun emphasizes that his decision to run for City Council is driven by a commitment to making Irvine an even better place for its residents. He said he would make his decisions on the council based on the needs of his constituents in District 3, not lobbyists or special interest groups.
“Irvine is a special place, and I’m committed to making sure it remains a great place to live for everyone, from young families to long-time residents,” said Sun. “I want to lead with integrity, listen to the community, and ensure we’re always moving forward together.”
Irvinite Questions
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Irvinite Questions 〰️
Read Sun’s answers to some questions posted by members of the Irvine subreddit.
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Safety is crucial. Parents worry about what might happen, and I think the current education in schools isn’t enough. Teens share the roads with other vehicles, and I’m not sure they fully understand how to navigate safely. We need to provide more education—not just about e-bikes, but also about how to interact with other vehicles on the road. It’s important to teach them some of the basics of driver's education, so they know how to stay safe and avoid accidents.
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Public transportation is another important issue. With so many people and homes in Irvine, we need to improve our public transportation system. For example, I think iShuttle, or iConnect, is a great service, but I’d love to see it expanded with different routes—like from UC Irvine to other parts of the city.
We also need to think about seniors. We need to make sure seniors have access to transportation, especially in areas with a lot of senior living communities, like senior apartments. It's important for them to stay connected and mobile.
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I know Irvine is getting younger, and nightlife is important for young people. I remember when I was younger, I had to drive to Los Angeles on the weekends to have fun. Now, with places like Diamond Jamboree expanding, I think Irvine is improving its nightlife scene. However, we need to focus on issues like parking, which can be a nightmare in certain areas. For any new developments, we really need to make sure parking is addressed.
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