Melendez endorses Seyarto as her replacement in Assembly

Murrieta City Councilman and former Mayor Kelly Seyarto has received an endorsement from Melissa Melendez in his run for the State Assembly 67th District seat.

Melendez, who has held that seat since 2012, is running for the State Senate 28th District seat vacated by Jeff Stone, who resigned to take a position with the U.S. Department of Labor. Seyarto and Melendez will be on the ballot in their respective races in the March 3 primary election.

"Kelly Seyarto is the strong conservative voice we need to represent us in the State Assembly," Melendez said in her endorsement statement. "California needs a leader like Kelly who’s not afraid to stand up to the majority party and will do what’s right for everyday people. I’m confident he will represent the people of the 67th Assembly District well, and as your Assemblyman, will fight to protect our state’s future and the values important to all of us."

Seyarto, a retired firefighter, also recently received the endorsement of the Republican Party of Riverside County.

"I knew that the key to winning this election would be to have the support of grassroots and local leaders," said Seyarto. "I’m humbled that the people who actually live, work and raise their families in our community are overwhelmingly supporting me in this election."

A native Californian, Seyarto served as a firefighter for 35 years until retiring as a Battalion Chief in 2015. His first stint on the Murrieta City Council ran from 1997-2006. He declined to run for re-election in 2006, citing a desire to spend more time with his family, but returned to the council in 2016.

Seyarto's opponents in the March 3 primary are Jerry Carlos (Democrat); Lake Elsinore Mayor Steve Manos (Republican); Nick Pardue (Republican); and Jeremy Smith (Republican). The top two vote-getters, regardless of political party, will advance to the November general election.

The list of opponents to Melendez in the State Senate 28th District election has not been finalized. The nomination period ends Thursday.