Column: Meet the District 2 Candidates for Temecula City Council?

Temecula City Council District 2 - The 2020 election is one of historical proportions and a case-study for constant examination in the future. This can be said from the local level – all the way to the presidential. In Temecula, there has been a whirlwind of change whiffing through the air. Mike Naggar, long-time council-member and rotating mayor, is ending his career in politics. This has left an opening for his district two seat. The two prominent names vying for the seat are: Dr. Alisha Wilkins and Jessica Alexander.

Now, I am afraid this report is not fully complete and not for the reason of simply not enough research; but rather, it is because I was denied my interview requests. I understand that I am not affiliated or syndicated to any publication, but I am also a resident of Temecula for 20 years plus… In other words, a voter! Frankly, I was disappointed by their refusals and communication darkness.

Jessica Alexander went from “I would be honored to sit down and chat with you,” to “I think we should wait till I win and after, you can ‘get to know me’.” What I inferred from her comment – as a voter and columnist – that I should wait till she “wins” to get to know her as a resident of the district, which she would be representing. I don’t know about you, but it is an alternative reality in politics when people only get to know their legislators until after they get elected. Nonetheless, that is the reality she is choosing to live in.

On the other hand, Dr. Alisha Wilkins and I never spoke. When I reached out through email, I was asked who I was “affiliated with,” and told them ‘no one,’ but I have been a resident of Temecula for 20 years. Radio silence. I am not sure if one or the other is worse. I’ll leave that question to the political gods in the sky.

The district two race is highly contestable, though, and past divisions and rivalries are taking shape. Mike Naggar is not running for reelection, but that does not mean he isn’t still playing politics. He has chosen to endorse Jessica Alexander as his successor. His endorsement can be seen on her website. Mike and Jessica are republicans and it is pretty obvious that they would gravitate towards each other. Still, this is a high-profile endorsement from an incumbent whose seat she is striving for. He is a well-respected member of the community and his endorsement will go a long way. Alternatively, Dr. Wilkins has also found a powerful ally: former Temecula councilman/ mayor and current Riverside board supervisor, Chuck Washington.

Chuck and Mike go back – way back. I am not going to speculate on whether they had friction in the past, but Washington’s endorsement says a lot. Dr. Wilkins is also a democrat. She has strong liberal endorsements from unions and Democratic officials. Wilkins will still struggle for the reason that the vast majority of residents in Temecula are Republican. With the current political climate, she will have an uphill battle with staunchly Republican residents – and even moderate ones.

As of now, I have not favored any of these candidates. On paper, they are moderately strong, but in terms of constituent outreach, they are adequate. They are running for a seat in my district and I only know as much information about them as can be written on both sides of a napkin. Picking the next councilmember is not like reading a menu. I need much more information and they both had a chance, but chose to hand out leaflets, instead.

I have a column every Sunday on my website: thebullmedia.org.