Politics & Government
He's Back: Murrieta Council Contenders Include Tea Party Ex-Marine
Among nine possible contenders for two seats are Temecula's former city manager and Gary Stein, who filed candidacy papers less than a week after saying he wouldn't run
Contenders for two Murrieta City Council seats now have until Aug. 15 to file their papers for the Nov. 6 election, but the list of possible candidates continues to grow. Among those filing their candidacy papers on Friday were Gary Stein, the Tea Party ex-Marine.
The former Marine sergeant, who prompted controversy , had announced earlier this week that he seek election to Murrieta City Council.
Patch However, Stein said Aug. 5 he chose not to proceed.
Find out what's happening in Murrietawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"My wife and I talked it over and decided it is probably not the best time for our family," Stein told Patch then. "But I am going to be at every city council meeting because there are a lot of ridiculous things being done to the citizens of Murrieta."
He apparently reversed course; City Clerk A. Kay Vinson said Friday that Stein has filed papers. It has not yet been determined yet whether he qualifies for the November ballot. Others who have filed papers to declare their candidacies are Joel Phillips, Jr., and David Mueting.
Find out what's happening in Murrietawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Council member Randon Lane is running for re-election; he has qualified for the ballot. After Doug McAllister said he was not running for re-election, the nomination period was extended to 5:30 p.m. on August 15, the city clerk said.
According to the clerk, others who have pulled papers, signaling a possible run, but have not yet filed them are Harry Ramos, John Paul Serbin, Victor Marx, Paul Clay, and Shawn Nelson, the former longtime Temecula city manager who retired last year.
The city clerk advises: Nomination papers and a candidate packet may be obtained from the City Clerk between 7:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at Murrieta City Hall, 1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA. The candidate packet, minus the official filing form and application, is available on the city’s website at: http://www.murrieta.org/cityhall/clerk/elections.asp. However, to obtain the official filing form, you must contact the City Clerk department. Since the process takes approximately one hour, please call 951-461-6035 to schedule an appointment.
