Former OCC president wins trustee seat

COSTA MESA — David A. Grant, a former president at Orange Coast College in the mid-1990s and a one-time U.S. Olympic Rowing Coach, has won the seat to represent Trustee Area 5 for the Coast Community College District, uncertified election results show.

Grant, who ran on a platform of hiring more full-time faculty, reducing district office costs and making student success a top priority, defeated Lynne Riddle, a retired federal judge.

Grant garnered 44% of the vote, or 67,746 votes, to Riddle’s 34.9%, or 53,689 votes.

Bob Mosley, a retired policeman, earned 32,000 votes or 21%.

Grant could not be reached for comment. He was endorsed by former state Education Secretary Marian Bergeson and other Newport-Mesa area politicians.

The other open seat, Trustee Area 1, will be retained by incumbent Jim Moreno.

Moreno defeated challenger Shana Christina Jenkins, earning 63% to her 36%.

Trustee Area 5 was held by Walter G. Howald, an attorney who resides in Newport Beach and served as past president of the board.

The 105-square-mile district serves 720,000 residents and spans Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Midway City, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Sunset Beach and Westminster.