Rancho Santa Margarita Mayor Carol Gamble suspended her campaign for the District 3 City Council seat Sunday afternoon, citing an “error” with her nomination paperwork.
Gamble said she signed her nomination paperwork “attesting to an inaccurate statement,” and it was discovered after the review period to fix it had passed.
“My error, my responsibility and my decisions have been discussed with the District Attorney through my counsel, and no promises have been made to me,” Gamble said in a press release Sunday afternoon.
“To the residents, businesses, Council Colleagues and City Staff of Rancho Santa Margarita, I am very sorry for my irreversible mistake, and I am at the same time very proud of all that we accomplished by working together,” she said.
Ballots have been mailed to registered voters throughout California, and voting is already underway. That means voters may have already submitted their ballots for Gamble or could do so in the coming weeks. If she wins the election for District 3, Gamble said she will resign from the City Council seat.
Efforts to return campaign contributions from supporters are being made, Gamble said.
“I am deeply embarrassed, take full responsibility and apologize for my error,” she said.
Gamble has worked with Rancho Santa Margarita since 1995, before it became a city in 2000. She is currently the city’s mayor, having served in the same position three other times.
This story is developing. Continue to check back here for updates.
