Mann, Wiggins Qualify for Ballot to Run for Mayor of Menifee

A field of five individuals who pulled application papers to run for mayor of Menifee has decreased to just two who will be on the ballot Nov. 4. The application period closed at 5 p.m. today.

Incumbent Scott Mann and challenger Paul Wiggins both returned completed applications and were certified by the Registrar of Voters to appear on the ballot. Mann became the city's first at-large mayor elected when he took office for a two-year term in 2012. He previously served on the Menifee City Council and Menifee Union School Board.

Wiggins, a local realtor and frequent visitor at city council meetings, has not previously run for office.

Two of the other four city council seats are up for election in November. In District 4, two candidates have qualified to be on the ballot -- incumbent John Denver and challenger Gloria Sanchez.

Denver has served on the city council since its creation in 2008 and served as mayor prior to Mann. Sanchez has not previously run for office in Menifee but has served on several local committees, including her current role as chair of the Menifee Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.

The most hotly contested council seat is in District 2, where four candidates qualified for the ballot. They include incumbent Tom Fuhrman; Matt Liesemeyer, currently chair of the Planning Commission; former Council Member Sue Kristjansson; and local resident John Baker.

Stay tuned to Menifee 24/7 for coverage throughout the campaign season. We will soon announce the date for the second annual Menifee 24/7 Candidates Forum.