Three Republicans have announced their intentions to fill the vacant state Senate District 28 seat, representing Idyllwild. Locals will recognize 3rd District Supervisor Jeff Stone. Some will remember Bonnie Garcia. From 2002 through 2008, she represented Assembly District 80 (eastern Riverside County and all of Imperial County). The third candidate is Glenn Miller, a current councilmember and immediate past mayor of Indio.
Through December 2013, Garcia had the fundraising lead and nearly $200,000 in cash available. But Stone had a very successful three months and has overtaken her and Miller during the first quarter of 2014, leading up to the June primary.
He raised nearly $180,000 in the first three months of the year, including a $50,000 loan he gave the campaign. The actual contributions of nearly $130,000 were about three times the amount Garcia has received this year. And, he surpassed Miller’s contributions by more than $100,000 with less than two months until the primary.
Stone has about 225 contributors compared to Garcia’s 200, but she has received contributions greater than $4,000 from 30 individuals or groups, including unions, such as the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Miller has a dozen contributions greater than $4,000, but he has received contributions from more than 260 donors.
Stone has received $4,000 or more from 21 contributors, most of whom are within the district. Only six of his contributions were from outside California; whereas Garcia has received funding from 20 contributors outside of California.
Both Garcia and Miller are well known in the Coachella Valley portion of the district, but Stone’s base includes the district’s western cities, including Temecula and Murrieta.
The Democrats have two announced candidates both from the desert. In October, Philip Drucker, 55, of La Quinta, announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination. Anna Nevenic, a registered nurse, author and community activist from Palm Springs, also announced her campaign.
However, neither candidate has campaign fundraising papers on file with the Secretary of State’s office, athough Drucker did file a submission with the Riverside County Registrar of Voters.
The primary election is June 3. The two candidates with most votes, regardless of party, will be on the November ballot.
