Sen. Jeff Stone to challenge Rep. Raul Ruiz for 36th District

A new candidate is jumping into the race for the 36th Congressional District.

Republican state Sen. Jeff Stone made the announcement Saturday morning. It was met with applause by a large group of supporters in La Quinta. Stone said many Republicans have been asking him to run and he’s answering their call. Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit was among other community leaders who showed their support for Stone.

Stone won election for the 28th Senate District in 2014. This year he will challenge Rep. Raul Ruiz (D) who has represented the 36th Congressional District since 2012.

Much of Stone’s announcement centered on security both nationally and locally.

“I enjoy public service and I’m answering the call,” said Stone. “We’ve got to get our country back on track and make sure we have security here for all the citizens … I don’t want the next act of terrorism to be here in the Coachella Valley.”

We reached out to Ruiz, but he declined to comment on Stone’s announcement.

At the event, it was noted Democrats have a three percent advantage in the desert and Stone said he’s ready to take that on.