State Assembly Candidates To Square Off In Wildomar

A 67th State Assembly District Candidates Forum is slated for Oct. 18 at and attendance could be high as four local chambers of commerce collaborate to host the event featuring candidates Melissa Melendez and Phil Paule.

The forum, slated to begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. in the school’s multi-purpose room at 35445 Porras Road, is being co-hosted by the Lake Elsinore Valley, Wildomar, Canyon Lake and Murrieta chambers of commerce. Gene Wunderlich, Government Affairs director for the Southwest Riverside County Association of Realtors, will be moderating the 90-minute event.

The forum is free to the public and Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce president Kim Cousins said he is looking for high turnout.

“This is an important event. I hope the community takes this opportunity to hear what the candidates have to say,” Cousins said.

In addition to serving in their current respective political positions – Melendez as a Lake Elsinore City Council member and Paule as a top aide to Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) -- the two conservative Republican candidates have been battling it out on the campaign trail. Both have received a slew of endorsements along the way, and cash on hand for each campaign through June 30 was nearly tied, despite Melendez’s advantage in contributions.

According to campaign disclosure statements, from Jan. 1 through June 30 of this year, Melendez received $223,780 in total contributions, including loans. After expenditures, the campaign’s cash on hand as of June 30 was $17,156.

For the same period, Paule received $146,896.69 in contributions and loans, and after expenditures showed $15,263 in cash on hand as of June 30.

Although the candidates have faced off before, they may be very primed for the Oct. 18 forum: , from 6 to 8 p.m., at Webb Hall, 26850 Sun City Blvd. in Menifee, with Menifee 24/7 Reporter Doug Spoon as moderator. The public is also invited to that event.

For those who live in the 67th State Assembly District (click here to see a map), Cousins encouraged residents to submit questions to their local chamber of commerce for the candidates to answer during the Oct. 18 forum. For more information, visit:

Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce

Wildomar Chamber of Commerce

Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce

Murrieta Chamber of Commerce