Zimmerman, Karwin, Sobek win Menifee City Council seats; Measure M public safety tax recall initiative defeated

Story updated at 9:30 p.m. Nov. 7 with updated voting results:

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Bill Zimmerman, who has served on two City of Menifee commissions and for the last two years as mayor, will continue in the city’s highest elected position for another four years.

Zimmerman far outdistanced challengers Ricky Estrada and Keith Davis, winning 62 percent of the votes cast.

Although this is the first City of Menifee public office to which Zimmerman was elected rather than appointed, his resume of community service in Menifee is lengthy.

Previously appointed a Planning Commissioner and later Parks, Recreation and Trails Commissioner, Zimmerman was appointed mayor by the City Council in 2018 after Neil Winter’s death while in office. At the time, he was the choice of many to lead the city through that difficult time because of his decades-long commitment to the community.

A Menifee resident since 1989, Zimmerman has also served on the Menifee Valley Historical Association, Arts Council Menifee, was co-founder of the Menifee Valley Boys & Girls Club, and was a trustee on the Mt. San Jacinto College Board of Trustees. After taking over from Winter – who established himself as the “People’s Mayor” with a grassroots campaign and was constantly present at public events -- Zimmerman also has been a constant presence throughout the city.

"It is very humbling to receive such positive affirmation from Menifee's voters," Zimmerman wrote in an emailed statement to Menifee 24/7. "I believe it is because we have a proven team of Council members that work well together. We've been focused on making our city the safest and most enjoyable place to live for our youth, our seniors and everyone in betwee.".

Estrada, who has no public service experience, placed second in the voting with 27 percent of the vote. The challenger based his campaign on a pledge to cut taxes and bring new ideas to Menifee. Estrada said he knocked on thousands of doors and was present at many public events, but he was criticized by many on social media for what some perceived as vague or unreasonable ideas.

Davis, who received 11 percent of the vote, gained solid support with his comments about improving public safety, but like Estrada, his lack of experience apparently was a factor.

In the race for the City Council District 1 seat, which is being vacated by Greg August because of term limits, Planning Commissioner Bob Karwin defeated newcomer Yamil Tomassini by receiving 58 percent of the votes. In District 3, incumbent Lesa Sobek had received 81 percent of the votes in defeating challenger Cecilia Truman.

Measure M – the initiative to recall the 2016 Measure DD public safety tax – was soundly defeated, ensuring the tax will remain. The “no” votes received 64 percent of the total votes cast. Four years ago, 68 percent of voters approved Measure DD, which helps fund the Menifee Police Department, Fire Department and infrastructure.

"I'd like to thank the voters for rejecting the repeal effort," Zimmerman said. "We can look forward to additional law enforcement patrol hours, better fire protection and the ability to deliver new bridges, signals and other traffic improvements sooner. Good things ahead!"

In the race for the Area 4 seat on the Menifee Union School District Board of Education – the only contested race among the three seats up for election – Morgan Singleton soundly defeated Debbi Manion and Kenyon Jenkins, who served in that position for the last two years after being appointed to the post. Singleton received 52 percent of the votes.

In the race for the Division 4 Director of Eastern Municipal Water District, Jeffrey Armstrong defeated incumbent Ron Sullivan, receiving 60 percent of the votes.

Updated counts of mail-in and provisional ballots released on Saturday changed very little of the margins of victory for any of the winning candidates listed below. For the record, further results will be announced on Monday.