Two cities in Riverside County are having an election in June. The City of Riverside is holding their regularly scheduled election for three district seats, while the City of Moreno Valley is holding a special election for District 4. Here is a breakdown of the four races.
City of Riverside, Ward 2
Seeking a fourth term on the council is Andy Melendrez who faces two challengers – Pastor Jon Scott Harris and community volunteer Kevin Dawson. Both Melendrez and Harris are registered Democrats, but Harris is more favored by the Republican community. However, Melendrez is endorsed by the Riverside Chamber of Commerce and the Riverside Firefighters and Police associations. The Riverside board of ethics is investigating Melendrez regarding a possible violation of the city’s ethics code. Melendrez has also previously favored a sanctuary-like resolution for the City of Riverside, which failed to pass.
City of Riverside, Ward 4
Incumbent Paul Davis only faces one challenger with Retired U.S. Air Force Officer Chuck Conder. Davis has the support of the Riverside Firefighters and Police Officers associations, SEUI Local 721, and Senator Richard Roth. He ran for Mayor last year, but lost to Mayor Rusty Bailey, with voters in his own ward favoring Bailey.
City of Riverside, Ward 6
Incumbent Jim Perry faces district director for Rep. Mark Takano, Rafael Elizalde. Perry is seeking his second term on the council and has the endorsement of the Riverside Firefighters and Police Officers associations, as well as Supervisors Kevin Jeffries and John Tavaglione. Elizalde has the support of Takano, Assemblymember Eloise Reyes, and Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest. A child of immigrants, Elizalde has voiced his support to make Riverside a sanctuary city. The race also sees a qualified write-in candidate in Suleko Charles Mahatadse. Mahatadse ran unsuccessfully for the same seat in 2013, receiving only 21 votes. In that same race, Perry received 60.8 percent of the vote in a field of six candidates.
City of Moreno Valley, District 4 Special Election
In November of last year, councilmember Yxstian Gutierrez was elected to Mayor leaving a vacancy on the council. Four candidates have thrown their hat in for the open seat. Youth program director Ulises Cabrera has the backing of the Mayor and business developer Highland Fairview, which has spent more than $40,000 in the current race. Small business owner Hector Diaz has the support of the Republican Party of Riverside County. The GOP is hoping to take back the Democratic seat. Diaz ran for the 61st Assembly District seat in November 2016, but lost to incumbent and Democrat Jose Medina by 31 percent. Rep. Mark Takano who is supporting multiple candidates in Riverside County, is also supporting Parks & Recreation Commissioner James Baker. The fourth candidate is social worker Cheylynda Barnard.