In fact the City of Irvine sprang from the mind of the owners of the Irvine Ranch, a descendant of old Spanish land grants. The owner(s) were then likely major Republican party supporters. The owner today IS a major Republican supporter Mr. Donald Bren.
The planned community was designed by a famous architect, and bringing a UC campus was part of the plan. Overall it is a nice place, upper middle class incomes, packed full of professionals including many Asians, various middle easterners, and others.
A good place for Jihadi terrorist cells.