Tea Party Candidate Unaware Of Where He Lives

An ex-Marine who was seeking a seat on the Murrieta City Council is not eligible to run in the upcoming election, a city official said Monday.

Gary Stein, does not live within the Murrieta city boundaries, Murrieta City Clerk Kay Vinson said in an email.

This came to the attention of election officials when Stein registered to vote after taking out a candidate nomination packet from Murrieta City Hall, Vinson said.

"Consequently, the normal voter registration and residence within the incorporated city limits was not confirmed at that time with the Registrar of Voters Office," Vinson said.

"When the nomination papers were sent for signature verification, the Registrar of Voters Office determined that he lives in the unincorporated area of Murrieta, which has been double-checked with city records. So, he is not eligible to run for elected office in the city of Murrieta."

Prior to Monday, , and

Stein said he was disappointed his address disqualified him.

"I live about a quarter-mile from the city limit, I measured it," Stein said, when reached by phone.

He said he had been busy getting his campaign team together when he received the news.

"We were all stunned. We jumped feet first to be let down. We were excited about helping the community, my wife and I like being involved. But what can you do — the rules are the rules. We will find another way to be involved and I will be on to bigger and better things," Stein said.

He said this could possibly include running for a higher office in the next few years. Additionally, he said he may decide to help annex the unincorporated residential area, which is off Murrieta Hot Springs Road east of Winchester Road, into the city.

"We all fall under the Murrieta name, we should have somebody representing us on city council," he said.

As of Monday afternoon, the two candidates who had completed the required steps to qualify as candidates in the Nov. 6 election were and Joel Phillips, Jr. a real estate broker, according to Vinson.

There are two seats up for election.

Another potential candidate, David Meuting, had filed his packet but had not yet been qualified as of Monday afternoon, according to Vinson.

Others who have pulled packets but had yet to file them as of 3:30 p.m. Monday included former Temecula city manager Shawn Nelson, , Harry Ramos and Paul Clay.

Because , the candidate nomination period was extended to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15. More information on how to go about obtaining a candidate's packet can be found by

Editor's Note: Patch will seek to provide coverage of all Murrieta City Council candidates.