Kotyuk takes on Mayes for the 42nd Assembly District
Before GOP Assembly Leader Chad Mayes was officially ousted from his political perch, San Jacinto City Councilman Andrew F. Kotyuk had announced the formation of a committee to run for California’s 42nd Assembly District in 2018.
No one recruited him, Kotyuk said.
“I had the instinct to organize and announce before Chad was voted out of leadership,” Kotyuk said.
Kotyuk, 42, is the second Republican challenger to Mayes, 40. Former Palm Springs Police Chief Gary Jeandron, 62, has also announced his candidacy.
Mayes, 40, has represented the vast district that includes parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties since 2014.
“I’m running for Assembly because we can’t let our leaders keep making the same mistakes and expect to get different results,” Kotyuk said. “This time Chad Mayes promised voters he would be fiscally responsible, he actually said he opposed a gas tax but as we all witnessed he voted in support of Cap and Trade, convinced other Republicans to do so as well and as a result we will get one of the largest gas tax increases in California history. I ran for City Council because it was begging for reform after the previous council was ousted for corruption. I don’t see much of a difference now, my objective is the same.”
The CEO of two small businesses, a family man and public servant, Kotyuk said he isn’t a one-issue candidate. He wants to increase the prosperity of the middle- to very low-income population, small business, veterans, women and minorities. To accomplish this, Kotyuk said he will:
- Reduce the cost of living and homelessness in CA by reducing taxes and regulation
- Spur job creation by supporting the following business drivers in our region: Agriculture, Building, Entrepreneurs, Disadvantaged Small Businesses (Hispanic, Women & Veteran Owned), Snowbird Tourism and Industries tied to our districts 10 Freeway and Rail Corridor
- Support Education and Public Safety Reform
He has long been a devoted public servant serving as a San Jacinto Planning Commissioner, San Jacinto Councilman and Mayor, Chairman of Riverside Transit Agency (RTA), Commissioner of Western Riverside Council of Government (WRCOG), commissioner Riverside Conservation Authority (RCA), commissioner of Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), Chairman of Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink), and Director of San Jacinto Valley Water Master
Some political watchers say Kotyuk’s name isn’t well-known here. If true, that’s not about to last long. He visits the desert frequently. One of the most recent times was Wednesday, Sept. 27 to meet with voters and build relationships with those he intends to serve, he said.
“I want to be where the voters are and give an equal amount of my attention to folks throughout the district,” Kotyuk said. “I plan to leave no stone unturned and if I can talk to every voting citizen I will, but the short answer is as much as possible.”
The race is expected to cost in the hundreds of dollars. Jeandron said he expects to spend between $350,000 and $500,000. Kotyuk said he estimates “many six digits.”
For a little insight into Kotyuk, consider that is political role model is a “blend between Benjamin Franklin, Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther King, Donald Trump.”
He is a U.S. Navy veteran who said his strengths are “problem solving, being a visionary, finance, loyalty and having moxy.”
The 42nd District represents the San Gorgonio Pass, most of Hemet, San Jacinto, Calimesa, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Palm Springs, Cabazon, Rancho Mirage and desert communities in San Bernardino County, including Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree. The 42nd District represents the San Gorgonio Pass, most of Hemet, San Jacinto, Calimesa, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Palm Springs, Cabazon, Rancho Mirage and desert communities in San Bernardino County, including Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree.
Photo Courtesy of Andrew F. Kotyuk
