On Election Day, Arcadia voters will have the first chance to have their say on the make up of their City Council since allegations of ties to the Chinese government forced the resignation of former mayor Eileen Wang.
Also see: Pasadena Star-News’ November 3, 2026 General Election Voter Guide
Wang has been charged with one count of acting in the United States as an illegal agent of a foreign government. Wang resigned in May and later that month pleaded guilty. She faces up to 10 years in federal prison. In addition, Wang’s former fiancé and campaign manager Mike Sun is serving a four-year sentence after pleading guilty to the same charge last year.
Arcadia officials said an internal review found that no city finances, staff or decision-making processes were impacted in any way. In addition, Wang’s charges stem from activities before her time in office, according to the city.
Even so, the scandal put Arcadia into an unwanted international spotlight and the candidates vying for three seats on the City Council next month shared how they would work to move the city forward and rebuild public trust.
In City Council District 2, Burton Brink is running against incumbent City Councilmember Sharon Kwan. Brink said public trust was hurt in the wake of FBI raids and federal charges with residents questioning City Hall putting politics ahead of telling the truth.
“I have spoken at council meetings about this because accountability matters,” Brink wrote in response to the Star-News’ voter guide questionnaire. “I am paying for my own campaign so no one can say I am bought. If elected, I will work for the residents of District 2: honest government, follow the law, and a City Hall that earns trust every day.”
He said trust cannot be rebuilt with speeches but through action.
Brink said he would support an independent forensic audit of city records, emails and money, “so residents can see what happened and what went wrong.” Second, he would push for stronger ethics rules, clearer disclosure and regular public reports. Finally, Brink said the city needs civility on the City Council dais again.
“People can disagree,” Brink said. “They should not attack each other or make decisions in the dark. Council members should debate in public, treat residents with respect, and put Arcadia first.”
Kwan said when concerns about Wang’s ties to China arose she proposed a City Council discussion about whether Wang should step down, but she said she was voted down by her colleagues.
“I twice proposed an independent review of all councilmembers’ financial and foreign ties. Both requests were blocked,” Kwan said in a text message. “Then, I proposed a discussion of my own financial ties — because if my District 2 constituents could not trust their council, at least they could trust me.”
She said that restoring trust requires full disclosure of potential conflicts of interest, independent oversight of city decisions and a City Council willing to ask difficult questions of its own leaders, staff and partners.
“My responsibility is not to protect fellow politicians or powerful interests. It is to protect the residents,” Kwan said. I have already proposed the measures I believe are necessary to restore public trust. I will continue doing so. What I need now is two more votes to turn those proposals into action. Trust begins when the public has access to the same information as the people governing them.”
In the District 3 race, Grace Arabella Lee and Cynthia Ng Monje are running against incumbent Councilmember John Han, who was appointed to the City Council this year to replace Wang.
Han could not be reached for comment and did not respond to the voter guide questionnaire.
Lee said she would keep the emphasis on transparency, accountability, accessibility and compassion without relitigating the individual case. She reiterated the city’s position that city operations were not involved in Wang’s scandal.
“Accountability should never become an excuse for hostility, suspicion, or judgment,” Lee said. “We can insist upon integrity while still treating every person with dignity, fairness, empathy, and compassion. We must not lose our humanity when controversy touches our community. Arcadia should rise above fear and denunciation.”
Lee said she would work to make City Hall as open and accessible as possible, so residents can understand how decisions are made, who participates and whether outside interests could create a conflict. Lee said government should respond respectfully and candidly to resident’s questions rather than being defensive or distant.
Monje said the city should be transparent, listen to the community, be accountable and encourage more public involvement with City Council meetings.
“The city of Arcadia does need healing and it’s starts with our leadership responding to the needs and wants of our community and following through,” Monje said.
In District 5, Steve Rhee is running against incumbent Councilmember Micael Cao, who could not be reached for comment or for the voter guide questionnaire.
Rhee said the issue cannot be brushed under the rug calling it disturbing to hear leaders say it’s time to move on.
“The honest truth is that we just can’t ‘move on’ until we make sure that we have implemented policies to make sure an agent of a Foreign Government never gets elected and rises to mayor again,” Rhee said. “To prevent crime, law enforcement encourages us to “See Something, Say Something.”
He said residents need to be educated on how to recognize foreign influence, how to report it, and put in policies “harden the target.”
“Because it seems that Arcadia is very much an easy target,” Rhee said.