BURANDT FOR PLACENTIA CITY COUNCIL • DISTRICT 4

James Burandt

Public Service
Professional

Candidate for Placentia City Council District 4

I’ve spent my career in public service, but Placentia is where public service became personal. It’s where my wife and I bought our first home, where we welcomed our son, and where I found a community I wanted to serve.

Meet James Our Priorities
James Burandt speaking at a public event
James Burandt Candidate for City Council • District 4
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James Burandt with his wife and infant son at a community gathering

Why Placentia

The community we chose to call home.

One of the first things that stood out to me about Placentia was how seriously this community takes its commitment to veterans. The Veterans Advisory Committee, the VA clinic, Veterans Village, and the veterans monument at City Hall all sent a clear message: veterans and their families were welcome and valued here.

That sense of welcome drew me deeper into the community. It led me to serve on the Placentia Veterans Advisory Committee, which I now chair, and gave me an early way to contribute to the city my wife and I had chosen for our first home.

My connection to Placentia has grown far beyond veterans issues. This is where we welcomed our son and where we are building our family. It is where I have chosen to invest my time, serve my neighbors, and put down roots.

Placentia is where public service became personal.

Public Service Professional

Service has been the through line of my career.

Public service isn’t something I decided to pursue when I decided to run for office. It has been the focus of my entire career—and running for City Council is an extension of that work, not the beginning of it.

James Burandt speaking beside a Marine Corps flag before an audience
Service in action James speaking beside the Marine Corps flag.

Experience across government

Government that works for people

My path has included work in Washington, D.C., congressional service as a Congressional Aide and Military Affairs Liaison, district-level constituent and community work in Orange County, local government with the City of Lake Forest, and county public service with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.

Across those roles, I have seen how decisions inside government reach people in their everyday lives—and how much thoughtful, responsive administration matters.

Community leadership

Service beyond a job title

Public service has also meant contributing outside my professional roles. I have served with two nonprofit organizations and on an advisory board, while continuing to advocate for veterans and their families.

Chairing the Placentia Veterans Advisory Committee has brought that experience home and deepened my understanding of what attentive local service can accomplish.

Education and preparation

Cal State Fullerton

I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Fullerton—just next door to Placentia and an important part of my connection to this area.

My MPA strengthened the practical skills I use to understand public organizations, evaluate how they operate, and help government serve people more effectively.

Marine Corps Veteran Public Service Professional Chair, Placentia Veterans Advisory Committee Master of Public Administration

Council Districts

Serving District 4

James Burandt is running to represent Placentia’s District 4. Explore the map to see the council districts, or use the district lookup tool to confirm which district you live in.

Aerial map showing Placentia council districts 1 through 5

District boundaries shown for reference. Use the district lookup tool to confirm your address.

FIND YOUR DISTRICT

A practical local focus

Priorities for Placentia

Clear principles for a city government that earns trust, serves residents, and protects Placentia’s quality of life.

Fiscal Responsibility

A commitment to transparency, responsible stewardship of public funds, and accountable local government.

Public Safety & Preparedness

A focus on safe neighborhoods, sound emergency preparedness, and a city government that responds when residents need it.

Strong Community

Resident engagement, thriving neighborhoods, local quality of life, and a city government that is accessible to everyone.

Beyond the campaign

A Record of Service

James's commitment to public service began long before this campaign — from serving in the Marine Corps and advocating for veterans to working in local and federal government.

Explore Media & Speaking

Featured Profile

Cal State Fullerton — Titan Magazine

A Pillar of Hope

A profile highlighting James's transition from the Marine Corps to Cal State Fullerton, his work supporting student veterans, and his advocacy for veterans at the national level.

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Public Speaking

Cal State Fullerton

Veteran & Military Appreciation Month

As president of the Student Veterans Association, James addressed the Cal State Fullerton community during its Veteran and Military Appreciation Month flag-raising ceremony.

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Veteran & Education

Warrior-Scholar Project

Student Spotlight: James Burandt, USMC

Warrior-Scholar Project featured James's journey from Marine Corps service into higher education and public service.

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From the community

Around Placentia

A future home for community events, public service, local conversations, photos, and videos from across Placentia and Orange County.

Neighborhoods

Listening on Our Block

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Public Service

A Day of Community Service

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Local Voices

Conversations That Matter

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On the campaign trail

Latest Updates

News, campaign notes, and announcements will appear here as the campaign moves forward.

Campaign Note

Welcome to the Campaign

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Community

Where We’ll Be Next

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From James

A Message to Placentia

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Help move Placentia forward

Join our community-powered campaign.

Your support will help build a campaign focused on listening, service, and the future of our city.

Contribute Secure contribution processing is provided on the campaign’s Anedot page.

Get in touch

Let’s start a conversation.

Have a question, want to get involved, or want to share what matters to your neighborhood? Email the campaign and we’ll be in touch.

Emailcontact@burandtforplacentia.com
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