Families. Properties. Businesses.
Protecting our community
ABOUT ME
Nicholas Reese for RSM
Since 1997, the Reese family has proudly called Rancho Santa Margarita home. From our safe streets and tight-knit neighborhoods to the rolling hills and lakeside trails, this community has shaped not just where I live — but who I am. I was born and raised here, attending Robinson Elementary, Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate, and Trabuco Hills High before studying locally at Saddleback College and later UCLA. From playing youth sports and serving as a class representative, to lifeguarding at the Beach Club and spending late summer nights at concerts in the park, this city has shaped who I am. These experiences taught me what true community looks like — and why it’s worth protecting.
​
Today, I work in financial oversight, reviewing the multi-million-dollar budget of UCLA’s Associated Students and helping lead a multi-billion-dollar audit initiative into UCLA’s finances — an effort I helped spark after uncovering major fiscal mismanagement, as reported by the Daily Bruin and Orange County Register.
That same commitment to transparency and accountability is what I want to bring to Rancho Santa Margarita. Our city has always shown resilience — through fires, economic challenges, and times of uncertainty — guided by our shared values: safety, responsibility, and respect for individual rights.
My priorities reflect those values: protecting our homes through smarter fire preparedness, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and preserving the excellence of our public safety services.
​
I’m running not to change what makes RSM special, but to protect it — and to see it grow stronger, safer, and even better than before. This is my home, and I will serve it with integrity, independence, and results — not politics.
.png)
MY CAMPAIGN PROGRAM
HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE
There is no doubt that our district — including Robinson Ranch, Rancho Cielo, Walden, and Dove Canyon — stands at the front line of Rancho Santa Margarita’s fight against wildfire. But today, we also find ourselves on the front line of a new challenge: protecting our homeowners’ insurance. ​In recent years, residents have been increasingly abandoned by the very insurance companies we’ve long relied on to safeguard our homes. By next year, up to a quarter of all residents could be without coverage. Those who still have policies are seeing dramatic hikes, with some paying double their rates from just a few years ago.
Action must be taken now. I will fight to ensure renewals are restored and rates are lowered across the district by creating a new Home Hardening Initiative within the city. This program will provide financial resources for households to fortify their properties against fire risks — including ember-resistant venting and fire-resistant roofing — and serve as a direct liaison with insurance companies to make sure this work delivers real and sizable relief. Importantly, the initiative will be funded solely through state & federal grants, meaning zero city tax dollars will be used.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Rancho Santa Margarita has long set itself apart for its fiscal responsibility — a city known across Orange County for maintaining a balanced budget, zero municipal debt, and exceptional public services.
This legacy should remain a source of pride, and a standard by which we continue to hold our leadership accountable.
​
But in recent years, these historic trends have begun to concerningly shift. Over the past decade, our city revenue has stagnated while expenses have steadily increased. Costly capital projects — like a new city sign, which alone exceeded seven hundred thousand dollars— reflect a broader drift from fiscal discipline towards careless spending.
​
As our city faces rising costs, decisive action is needed to ensure these harmful spending habits are reversed, and long-term balance is restored. I will ensure that Rancho Santa Margarita’s tradition of fiscal discipline is upheld, and that every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely, transparently, and with measurable results.​​​​​​​​​
PUBLIC SAFETY
Rancho Santa Margarita has long been one of the safest cities in California — a record built through years of partnership with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the trust of our residents. Our community consistently ranks among the lowest in crime nationwide, thanks to deliberate investment, shared vigilance, and the tireless work of our local deputies.
​
This record is more than a point of pride — it’s a way of life that must never be taken for granted. As surrounding areas face rising property crime, persistent service calls, and shortages in available law enforcement officers, our city must remain proactive; for our families, properties, and businesses.​​​ The cost of maintaining safety will continue to rise, and our city must plan ahead to sustain the level of protection our residents expect and deserve.
As your councilmember, I will ensure that our law enforcement contracts remain fully funded and that no mismanagement or lack of foresight ever jeopardizes the safety of our community.
WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS
When the Airport Fire rolled down our hillside, I saw firsthand how quickly danger can reach our doorsteps. Not long after, the Palisades Fire destroyed homes and displaced families — a stark reminder of what’s at stake. These experiences made one thing clear: preparation isn’t optional, it’s our responsibility.
​
Rancho Santa Margarita must be ready for the worst while hoping for the best. That means fully implementing our Home Hardening Initiative — helping residents install ember-resistant vents, clear defensible space, and invest in fire-rated materials. It also means expanding our emergency response and evacuation plans, ensuring every household knows the safest routes, receives reliable alerts, and can count on close coordination with OCFA and CAL FIRE.
​
As your councilmember, I will make sure our community is prepared long before the next wildfire arrives — protecting the safety of our residents and the homes we’ve worked so hard for.
FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
