State Senator Benoit Outlines Plans As New County Supervisor

PALM DESERT – State Senator John Benoit is back in the Desert Thursday after being named Wednesday to fill the position left by the late Riverside County Supervisor Roy Wilson.

Governor Schwarzenegger appointed Benoit to replace Wilson who died late August. Benoit discovered he was picked while flying his own personal airplane.

“I was at 11,500 feet, southbound in my Bonanza, approaching the city of Fresno when I got a Blackberry message that the governor made the announcement that he was going to appoint me,” says Benoit.

Within days, Benoit will officially resign his State Senate post.

Benoit recalls, “It was a very bittersweet day walking off the State Senate floor yesterday at 6AM after a 25 hour session overnight. These things don’t happen very much at the Board of Supervisors. I won’t miss the overnights, bit I made a lot of good friends there.”

Supervisor Wilson made it a point to focus on east Valley projects, from the farm fields of Mecca to the Salton Sea.

“There’s obviously a strong concern that Roy had that I will continue on to take care of the folks of the East Valley, particularly the folks who rely on the county for services of all varieties,” adds Benoit.

Riverside County’s Board of Supervisors will have to pay much of the cost for a special election to replace Benoit.

The special election will take place within 5 months.

Benoit says likely Republican candidates for the State Senate seat include Assemblymen Brian Bestande of Palm Desert, Jeff Miller of Orange, and Bill Emerson of Redlands. It is unknown which Democrats may run for the seat.

Benoit says, “I am anxious and honored and ready to begin work trying to begin to fill the very large shoes left by my predecessor. Roy Wilson was revered. When you look at the list of his accomplishments, it’s going to be a very difficult job to match that.”