California's Republican Newport Beach Mayor Will O'Neill criticized Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz's policies, citing concerns about public safety and progressive ideology. O'Neill invited Walz to learn from Newport Beach's conservative approach, which emphasizes police funding, fiscal responsibility, and community well-being.
Newport Beach Mayor Will O'Neill has taken a jab at Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, blasting his leadership and policies ahead of his fundraising visit to the California beach town.
In an interview with "Fox & Friends," O'Neill expressed concerns about Walz's handling of the George Floyd riots in Minneapolis in 2020, drawing parallels to similar unrest in California. He suggested that Walz's views on public safety are out of touch with the challenges facing cities like Newport Beach.
Newport Beach Mayor Blasts Walz's Policies Before Fundraising Visit
"Frankly, Gov. Walz's enduring image as governor was watching Minneapolis and the fire station in that city burn," O'Neill said. "We saw images like that actually here in California as well, in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and places like Oakland."
O'Neill invited Walz to visit Newport Beach's police station and engage with community members who support the department, highlighting the city's commitment to law enforcement amid growing concerns about public safety.
Newport Beach Mayor Blasts Walz's Policies Before Fundraising Visit
The mayor also criticized Vice President Kamala Harris's perceived shift in policy positions, suggesting that she has moderated her views to appeal to a broader electorate.
"Well, she has to, right?" O'Neill said. "If you were to come up with five words that describe California, would public safety come within the first 25? I don't think so."
Newport Beach Mayor Blasts Walz's Policies Before Fundraising Visit
O'Neill challenged Walz to observe the stark contrast between the governance models of deep blue Los Angeles and conservative-run Newport Beach during his visit, expressing hope that he would recognize the benefits of a balanced approach.
"I hope while he is in his armored vehicles going through the streets of Los Angeles that he actually spends time looking out and seeing the streets filled with encampments and crime and the empty business fronts, and by the time he gets to Newport Beach where we've got paved roads and a clean environment, that he will actually spend some time looking around and say, okay, maybe that, maybe Newport Beach," O'Neill said.
In a social media post, O'Neill welcomed Walz but emphasized that Newport Beach would not tolerate the imposition of progressive policies.
"As the Mayor of Newport Beach, a City with a 7-0 Republican City Council, I welcome Gov. Walz to spend time with our City leadership while he's dipping into some of our residents' pockets," O'Neill wrote.
"We will showcase a city that didn't defund the police, that embraces conservative economic values, that decreases debt and increases quality of life, that did not allow protesters to burn out local businesses, and that cares about human flourishing. If Gov. Walz is as interested in learning policy from a well-run city as he is in political donations, my door will be open."
Walz's visit to Newport Beach is part of his "donor tourism" tour, where he is expected to raise funds for his campaign. O'Neill's criticisms highlight the growing divide between California's progressive urban centers and more conservative coastal communities.
