Castillejos Enters Mayoral Race as Write-in -- From Afar

News of the key issues and controversy of the upcoming city elections has spread as far as Afghanistan, where a Navy reserve officer has announced her intention to run for mayor of Menifee as a write-in candidate.

Darci Castillejos, a 25-year resident of Menifee and a familiar name in local political circles, said Thursday night in an email to Menifee 24/7 that her husband pulled application papers for her at City Hall earlier this week. She said the paperwork will be returned and certified by the Oct. 21 deadline for her to be recognized as an official write-in candidate.

Castillejos would become the third declared candidate for the office of mayor, opposing incumbent Scott Mann and challenger Paul Wiggins.

"I have been called upon to serve my country in support of 'Operation Enduring Freedom', a duty to which I dedicate my utmost effort," Castillejos wrote in an email from Afghanistan. "I am now being called on to serve the people of the city that I call home. I assure you I will accept this obligation with equal enthusiasm."

Darci Castillejos has raised a family in Sun City with her husband Mike, the manager of U.S. Bank in that community of Menifee. She has served as chairman of the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce; president of the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard; and was a member of the General Plan Advisory Committee prior to the incorporation of Menifee.

She has owned a restaurant in the area for 14 years. Although she is still completing her deployment in the U.S. Navy as the Theater Support Chief supporting Joint Special Operations Forces, Castillejos wrote in her email that she will be accessible to local residents and media during the remainder of the campaign and would return in time to begin serving as mayor if elected.

For national security reasons, she said, Castillejos cannot disclose specifics about the date of her return.

Castillejos wrote that she has followed the election campaign via Menifee 24/7 and social media and has been frustrated with what she has read. Reports of dissension among city council members and allegations regarding anonymous smear campaign fliers both in 2012 and 2014 were motivating factors in her decision when she was approached by locals with a suggestion to run for office, she said.

"Our young city faces many challenges in becoming a community we can be proud of," Castillejos wrote. "I am prepared to confront these challenges and seek solutions that benefit all the citizens of Menifee.

"The controversy surrounding this election is appalling to me; it's a distraction we don’t need. My first order of business will be to bring honor and confidence back to City Hall. Menifee deserves a mayor who will bring integrity and positive leadership to the office; a mayor with the courage to stand up for what is right, even if it is not popular with special interest groups.

"We need to rid the city of the political maneuvering and backroom deal-making that has been going on these last six years. I will conduct the council meetings in a professional manner, encouraging ALL of our citizens to voice their opinions without fear of intimidation by the dissatisfied vocal few that dominate now.

"I will make it clear to the members of the council that petty politics and grandstanding from the dais will not be tolerated. It is time to change the negative culture at City Hall and promote all that is good about our city. It is for these reasons that I am announcing my write-in candidacy for the office of Mayor of Menifee."

Castillejos also wrote that she plans to participate remotely in the Menifee 24/7 Candidates Forum Oct. 9. Those details would have to be worked out.