John Schwab, 43, of Temecula is one of two Republicans seeking the open seat in the 28th State Senate District formerly held by Jeff Stone. Schwab is one of five total candidates seeking the seat in the special election on March 3.

Schwab is a small business owner. He and his wife, Traci, who is the director of an adult day care program, have three children ages, 23, 15, and 13.

Others seeking the seat are Anna Nevenic, 72, , a D-Palm Springs; Joy Silver, 64, a D-Palm Springs; Melissa Melendez, 51, R-Lake Elisnore; and Elizabeth Romero, 36, D-Indio.

All five candidates have responded to a series of questions from Uken Report.

Uken Report (UR): Why do you want to be a state Senator?

John Schwab: I wanted to run for State Senator to help provide solutions to problems affecting the State. It starts at the top, so we should gain some attention at the State Level. I believe we can be successful in addressing issues in the District.

UR: What qualifications do you have?

John Schwab: My qualifications come from early leadership skills achieved as a young Marine. I spent four years in 29 Palms, CA training and learning from Great Infantry officers and senior enlisted Marines. I reenlisted to become an Instructor at Infantry Training Battalion, Light Armored Vehicle School located on Camp Pendleton, CA. After spending multiple years training Senior Officers, Senior Enlisted, and Coalition forces it became clear that I was going to further my education. After my service I enrolled into Mount San Jacinto Community College and transferred to CSUSB. I received my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and continued to pursue my personal goals. After working in the Corporate world for a few years as an auditor and accountant I realized I wanted to find a job helping others.  My wife and I ventured out and opened an Adult Residential Facility for individuals with challenging behaviors.

UR: What issues are you running on and why?

John Schwab: My issues are focused on problems affecting everyone in the 28th State Senate District. Traffic is my number one priority for improving the quality of life for everyone on the road and in the communities. Public Safety is my second priority for protecting citizens so they can be out enjoying themselves throughout the district. Lastly, but always an issue is Fuel prices. I intend to try and find areas to help reduce prices for everyone.

UR: Who are your political mentors and why?

John Schwab: I never really had a political mentor. I have been mentored by the Marines I worked with, professors at school, and friends who have always been there to give sound advice.

UR: Is there anything you would like to add?

John Schwab: I will maintain focus on creating solutions for the problems facing the 28th State Senate District. We have many issues affecting the district, I hope we can improve the quality of life for the community and begin to find solutions to these problems.

A candidate must receive more than 50% of the vote in order to win on March 3. With five people now in the race, the odds of anyone candidate receiving more than 50 percent of the vote are significantly reduced. If no candidate garners that majority, the top-two vote-getters will advance to a run-off election on May 12, 2020.

The state Senate District 28, which leans Republican, lies entirely in Riverside County, stretches from the vineyards of the Temecula Valley to the Colorado River and includes the cities of Blythe, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, Lake Elsinore, La Quinta, Murrieta, Temecula, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and Wildomar.

 

 

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