For the first time in this century, Hill voters will cast a November vote — rather thank spring — for the person to represent them as county supervisor for the next four years.
In 2016, incumbent Supv. Chuck Washington has two challengers — Randon Lane and Shellie Milne.
The June 7 primary will send the top two vote getters into the November general election.
This appears to be a competitive race. Since 2000, only two Riverside County incumbent supervisors have been defeated. In March 2004, Jeff Stone upset Jim Venable of Hemet. Eight years later, current 1st District Supervisor Kevin Jeffries upset Bob Buster.
Stone served the 3rd District until his election as state senator for the 28th District in November 2014. Four months later, in March 2015, Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Washington to fill the remainder of Stone’s term, which expires in December 2016.
Through Dec. 31, 2015, the three candidates have received nearly $500,000 in campaign contributions. Washington has collected nearly half of that, and Lane and Milne have reported about $150,000 each.
During the last six months of 2015, Milne’s contributions exceeded Washington’s by about $18,000 and were nearly twice what Lane collected.
The candidates’ available cash at the end of 2015 is about the same. Washington had about $155,000. Milne, who entered the race in August, has $140,000. Lane, who announced within weeks of Washington’s appointment, has about $125,000.
Lane also has made a $25,000 personal loan to his campaign while Washington has loaned his campaign $4,000. So far, Milne has not made a loan to her campaign.
Contributors
Washington has received many more total contributions than either Lane or Milne, as his total amount demonstrates. But each candidate also appears to have support from different groups.
Washington has received two donations of more than $10,000 and two other gifts greater than $8,000. The largest single donor is LIUNA Local 777, which contributed $27,000, and represents one of Riverside County’s larger bargaining units. Regent Properties of Los Angeles gave $10,000.
Eight donors have contributed more than $4,000, including a $6,000 contribution from David Butterfield. Another 15 donors have given more than $2,000.
As the incumbent, Washington has received contributions from groups who do business with the county, such as Albert A. Webb Associates and CR&R, the manager of the local transfer station.
Besides LIUNA Local 777, other union or labor groups giving to his campaign include the International Union of Operating Engineers ($2,500), Service Employees International Union Local 721 ($2,250) and Cal Fire Local 2881, which is Riverside County, ($1,000).
Milne’s support comes from a few very large donors. She has received five contributions greater than $20,000, including two from local vineyards — Ponte and Callaway — and the Hemet Community Medical Group.
Three land developers have given at least $25,000 to Milne’s campaign, and another two have donated $10,000 each.
Lane received no donations greater than $20,000. He did receive two greater than $10,000. The Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians gave $15,000, his largest contribution, and Michael Lumary of Home Energy Solutions gave $10,000.
Lane did receive four other contributions greater than $5,000, another four between $3,000 and $5,000, and six contributions between $2,000 and $3,000.
Good evening, Please feel free to give me a call with any questions, comments or concerns. My direct cell number is 951-830-3485 and my direct email is [email protected]. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Randon Lane http://www.randonlane.com