Ballot Count Confusion Changes Results Of First Race
Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone, who lost his bid for a Republican state Senate nomination in last week’s primary election, is “happy with his job” and plans to stay out of state politics for the foreseeable future, a spokesman said today.
“Obviously, it’s never fun not to win. But he’s a great supervisor, and people around here know that,” said Stone’s chief of staff, Verne Lauritzen.
Click here for the latest election results
Stone was vying for the 36th Senate District seat being vacated by veteran lawmaker Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Murrieta, who couldn’t run again because of term limits. He lost out to Assemblyman Joel Anderson, R-Alpine.
The 36th district stretches from just north of Murrieta, through San Diego County to the Mexican border.
Other candidates for the GOP nomination were Rancho San Diego pastor Greg Stephens and Murrieta attorney Kenneth Dickson.
Anderson won 45 percent of the vote in San Diego County, compared to Stone’s 26 percent, with Dickson and Stephens making up the balance.
Stone gained 47 percent electoral support in Riverside County, compared to Anderson’s 21 percent, but the margin was not enough to overcome Anderson’s lead in San Diego County, where the largest part of the 36th district is situated. Anderson wound up with 41 percent of the vote district-wide, compared to 30 percent for Stone.
The district is considered a Republican stronghold, so Anderson is all but certain to win in November.
“A lot of people around here don’t see this as a loss,” said Lauritzen. “A whole lot of people are expressing pleasure that Jeff didn’t win and will stay here and be the (3rd district) supervisor. That sentiment is widespread.”
Stone, 54, has represented the 3rd district since 2004.
The licensed pharmacist made the state’s distressed financial condition, bureaucracy and dysfunctional government leading themes in debates between him, Stephens and Dickson. Anderson did not attend the debates, citing obligations in Sacramento.
“Sacramento is horrendously broken. I don’t know anybody in their right mind who would want to tackle that kind of challenge,” said Lauritzen. “But Jeff was ready and willing. He’s got the kind of personality needed in Sacramento.”
Lauritzen said it was “doubtful” Stone would consider another go at the state Legislature.
“He’s happy with his job as supervisor,” Lauritzen said. “His sentiment is kind of, you know, `Let’s not worry about that right now.’ I don’t think it’s in the cards.”
He said among the supervisor’s “top priorities” going forward will be land-use issues in the Temecula Valley.
“He’s very focused on the Wine Country master plan, trying to preserve the ambiance there and make that last into perpetuity,” said Lauritzen, adding that development projects in Idyllwild are also on Stone’s radar.
