Map courtesy of Citizens Redistricting Committee
California’s 28th State Senate District has been vacant since its creation after the 2010 Census. In 2011, in advance of the 2012 elections, the California Citizens Redistricting Committee revised the boundaries of the state’s congressional, Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization seats. In 2012, the odd-number senate districts were on the ballot.
Consequently, Senate District 28, which includes most of Riverside County from Corona east to Blythe and including all of the Hill, will be on the November 2014 ballot. But no incumbent serves the area.
Three Republicans have announced their intentions to fill this seat. Idyllwild 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 the immediate past mayor of Indio.
Through December 2013, Garcia has the fundraising lead and nearly $200,000 in cash available. Miller has about $140,000 available and Stone trails with about $115,000 in cash. He has loaned his campaign $50,000.
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, has also announced her campaign. She ran for the 40th Senate seat last year. Ben Hueso won the election to replace Juan Vargas in March 2013.
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.
Stone’s and the vast majority of Miller’s contributors are California residents. Garcia has been able to solicit contributions from Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Tennessee and several other states. This group gave about 11 percent toward her total contributions.
The primary election is June 3. The two candidates with most votes, regardless of party, will be on the November ballot.
2014 State Senate District 28 campaign contributions and cash as of Dec. 31, 2013
| Since July | Full year | Total Cash Available | |
| Bonnie Garcia | $152,000 | $262,500 | $200,800 |
| Glenn Miller | $67,400 | $176,000 | $140,100 |
| Jeff Stone | $159,300 | $159,300 | $114,200 |
| Philip Drucker | $875 | $580 |
