Zimmerman, two others first to pull papers to run for mayor

Bill Zimmerman takes a candidates' oath after picking up application papers from city clerk Sarah Manwaring on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Bill Zimmerman

Three potential mayoral candidates and two potential City Council candidates pulled papers this week to run for public office in Menifee, according to the city clerk.

Current Mayor Bill Zimmerman and fellow residents Ricky Estrada and Keith Davis picked up application papers that must be completed and certified before they are considered qualified as candidates for the Nov. 3 election. The application period runs through Aug. 7.

Zimmerman was appointed mayor of Menifee in July 2018 following the death of Neil Winter. A Menifee resident since 1989, he previously served on the Menifee Planning Commission, Parks and Trails Commission and Mt. San Jacinto College Board of Trustees. Zimmerman also is a member of the Menifee Historical Association and Arts Council Menifee.

Estrada, a former baseball umpire and now a teacher, announced his intention to run for mayor several months ago. Davis, a 12-year resident of Menifee, owns a Farmers Insurance office in Sun City. Both are running for public office for the first time.

City Council seats in Districts 1 and 3 are also up for election in November. Robert Karwin, a Menifee Planning Commissioner, is the lone individual to pull papers so far in District 1, where Greg August is termed out. Incumbent Lesa Sobek is running for re-election in District 3.

Once candidates have qualified for the ballot, Menifee 24/7 will conduct interviews with them for feature articles. We also plan to hold a candidates forum some time before the election.