Storm Baseball Opening Day To See Pre-Game Political Campaigning

Some of the political players who represent Lake Elsinore and Wildomar are aligning as they look toward the 2012 election.

State Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries, R-Lake Elsinore, posted a news release on his website today stating that he will formally announce his 2012 run for Riverside County Supervisor--First District on baseball season's Opening Day at stadium, April 7.

Supervisor Bob Buster currently holds the First District seat and is campaigning for re-election in 2012.

Today’s “unofficial” announcement from Jeffries (which was dated March 14 on his website),  falls on the heels of Lake Elsinore Mayor Pro Tem/Riverside County Transportation Commissioner Bob Magee’s “quiet” public announcement that he is seeking Jeffries seat in 2012.

Magee has set up a website, Bob Magee For State Assembly 2012, that simply states at press time, “Announcement Coming Soon!”

When pressed on March 5 about his run for the State Legislature, Magee said he wasn’t ready to comment despite his live website.

In today’s news release from Jeffries, Magee was quoted but mention of his run was left out.

“When we needed help obtaining approvals for the future expansions of Interstate 15 and Highway 91, it was Kevin’s leadership that helped us obtain our approvals," Magee said in the news release. "He returns phone calls, attends crucial meetings, and fights for our county at every level. It’s refreshing.” 

Jeffries is making the most of his April 7 official announcement, which will kickoff at 5:30 p.m. at the stadium, just one hour and 35 minutes before the Storm opens the baseball season against the San Jose Giants.

Jeffries will be flanked by six mayors during the April 7 campaign kickoff, including Ron Loveridge (Riverside), Marsha Swanson (Wildomar), Amy Bhutta (Lake Elsinore), Barry Gene Talbot (Canyon Lake), Randon Lane (Murrieta), and Stan Skipworth (Corona).

According to today’s news release, “Jeffries will formally unveil his priorities” during the April 7 event. The statement said Jeffries “has indicated” he will be focusing on “improving the local economy and job opportunities, maintaining essential neighborhood public safety services, and seeking pension and spending reforms without new taxes.”

According to the news release, Jeffries, 50, is president and partner of his family held investment firms. He was elected and served two years on the Lake Elsinore Recreation & Parks District (1981/82), eight years on the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (1990-98), eight years on the Western Municipal Water District (1998-2006), five years on the Riverside County Local Agency Formation Commission, two years on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors Parks Advisory Commission, 29 years as a Riverside County Volunteer Firefighter (1977-2006), and was elected to the State Legislature in November 2006.