Marc Steinorth, Highland’s representative in the California Assembly, won’t seek re-election.
His name now appears on county registrar’s unofficial list of candidates as a challenger to two-term San Bernardino County Supervisor Janice Rutherford in District 2.
Steinorth has yet to respond to phone calls and e-mails from the Highland Community News.
The California Political Review quotes Steinorth as saying, “After two terms in the State Assembly I have done more than I ever imagined,” then questions what accomplishments he could claim after four years in the minority party.
And it says Steinorth should return the $65,750 the California Republican Party gave him on Jan. 4 for his Assembly re-election campaign.
The Assembly currently has 25 Republicans, 52 Democrats and three vacancies, giving the GOP less than a third of the votes.
County Supervisor James Ramos, former chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, recently announced his candidacy for Steinorth’s 40th Assembly District’s seat.
Ramos shared Steinorth’s announcement in a press release on Monday.
The website marcsteinorth.com doesn’t mention his decision, but still invites contributions to his campaign.
Green Party member Carol A. Bouldin has announced her candidacy for the 40th Assembly seat, according to the registrar’s list. It also lists a candidate named Kenneth Petschow as a candidate for District 2 on the county board.
Highland is represented by Ramos in District 3. If elected, a vote to replace him is likely in November.
In his press release, Ramos lists endorsements from Assemblywoman Eloise Gómez Reyes, San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon
Redlands Mayor Paul Foster, Teamsters Local 1932, San Bernardino County Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 935, and Robert Garcia, president of the Etiwanda School District board of trustees.
In a press release on Monday, Rutherford announced the endorsement of state Sen. Mike Morell, a Republican who represents Highland in the 22nd District. Rutherford was an aide to former state legislator Bill Leonard.
Before being elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2010, she served on the Fontana City Council for 10 years.
Originally posted on the Highland Community News website