Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz will likely have to face at least three challengers in the June primary and one of them in the November 2018

On Monday, Oct. 16, Dan Ball, former news anchor in the desert, announced his candidacy for the 36th Congressional District, which includes Idyllwild and the Hill communities.
Photo courtesy Dan Ball

election.

Last week, soap opera actress Kimberlin Brown Pelzer announced her entry into the Congressional race. She was a featured speaker at the 2016 Republican Convention. She was in “The Young and Restless” and, more recently, “The Bold and Beautiful.”

“I’m thrilled to announce that I’m running for Congress in CA-36,” she wrote in her Twitter account on Tuesday, Oct. 10. She could not be reached for comment.

Then on Monday, Oct. 16, former desert news anchor Dan Ball of Palm Desert announced his entry in the race, too.

“I’m running to put people first. It’s time this district had a strong, community leader represent us in Washington who will put constituents first, work across the aisle and actually get things done for our community. I’m that candidate,” Ball said in his initial press release. “As an Air Force veteran, former news anchor, local realtor, and a father, I’m concerned about the direction we’re going. We have a responsibility to make this community work for everyone, and ensure our children will have the tools, resources, and foundation necessary to thrive and be successful; that’s what this campaign is all about; all of us together taking on that responsibility.”

A third Republican, Stephan Wolkowicz, has filed financial papers for the race. He did also for the 2016 race but collected no contributions.

All challengers will find Ruiz a tough opponent in this somewhat conservative district. In 2016, Ruiz collected 62 percent of the vote to beat state Sen. Jeff Stone, who was former Riverside County supervisor for much of the district.

Through June 30, Ruiz has already raised more than $1.6 million for his third re-election campaign. He won the seat in 2012, beating incumbent Mary Bono. Then in 2014 and 2106, he defeated challengers to his seat.