Temecula’s Politicians Setting The Stage For Upcoming Elections

UPDATED AT 3:42 p.m.: Will Supervisor Jeff Stone run for Congress in 2014? Will Temecula Mayor Mike Naggar take his county seat?

The stage is being set for upcoming elections.

Supervisor Jeff Stone, who was reelected to a four-year term in 2012, told the Press-Enterprise that he will announce his decision April 15 at a Temecula-area winery. The supervisor represents the third district, which includes among other areas Temecula and nearby wine country.

Even if Stone doesn’t make a run for Congress, he's said he doesn't intend to seek another term on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. He was first elected to the county seat in 2004.

According to the Press-Enterprise story, Stone considered the House seat following his discontent over current Rep. Ken Calvert's (R-Corona) decision in January to vote in favor of the American Taxpayer Relief Act. The bill passed with a 257 to 167 vote and averted the so-called fiscal cliff.

Calvert was reelected to a two-year term in 2012 and currently represents the 42nd Congressional District that includes Canyon Lake, Corona, Lake Elsinore, Lakeland Village, Murrieta, Norco, portions of Temecula’s wine country, Temescal Valley, and Wildomar.

Given Stone's likely departure as supervisor no later than 2016, Temecula Mayor Mike Naggar has announced he’ll make a bid for the county seat in 2016. Naggar was reelected to a four-year term on the Temecula City Council in 2012. He has served the city since 1997 when he was appointed to be a planning commissioner. He has served on the Temecula City Council since 1999.

In a story about Naggar's supervisor bid, he told the U-T, "I think Jeff Stone's done a great job. We're just going to continue that legacy and expand on it."

In a statement to Patch, the mayor said, "The election is 3 1/2 years away. We are just now laying the foundations and beginning fundraising.  I am in my fourth term as council member and we are doing amazing things in Temecula. Having launched two successful regional task forces -- Medical Needs Autism and the soon to start Family Health Task Force -- the fit seems right to take some of these programs district wide, especially since the current supervisor is retiring. There are thousands of 'special needs' children and families that are not getting the help or the resources they need."

Temecula is one of the few cities that has made it through the down economy, Naggar said, and he credits what he calls "sound management principles." 

"These principles can be uniquely applied district wide in the area of economic development, road construction, and parks and open space," he said.