3rd-try charm or incumbent muscle?

The District 5 council race in Newport Beach is a face-off between Ed Selich, who was appointed to the seat in 2005, and Robert Schoonmaker, who is making his third try at winning a council seat.

Like several of the council races on Tuesday’s ballot, the District 5 race probably will turn on the incumbent’s performance on the council and the challenger’s qualifications.

Selich was on the planning commission in June 2005 when he was appointed to replace then-Mayor Steve Bromberg, who resigned from the council to accept a judgeship.

Bromberg’s term would have lasted through 2008, but the city charter requires appointees to run in the next general election. Whichever candidate wins the seat Tuesday, then, will have to run again in two years to stay in office.

Schoonmaker, a retired engineer and investigative political writer, ran for council seats in 1996 and 2000 and threw his name in for the appointment Selich won.

He has said he supports Measure V, the city’s general plan update, and Measure X, which tightens voter controls on development. While he’s not alone in reconciling those positions, they’re perhaps more likely to confuse voters than to win him support from both camps.

As a councilman, Selich has won praise for helping to get a plan for the Marinapark property that is supported by the diverse groups involved.

Many voters probably will base their decisions on Selich’s performance, said Don Krotee, who is president of the Newport Heights Improvement Assn.

Selich is unique on the council in that his professional background is in urban planning and design, Krotee said.

“I have a very high regard for the gentleman running against him, but I do think Ed’s incumbency and his consensus building will serve him very well,” he said.