Field of 5 set for 23rd Senate District special election

By By Patrick McGreevy

Feb 05, 2014 | 7:17 AM

Field of 5 set for 23rd Senate District special election — Former state Sen. Bill Emmerson, R-Redlands, resigned last year, setting up a special election next month. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

SACRAMENTO — The field is set for a special election to fill a vacancy in the 23^rd Senate District seat, with two Republicans, two Democrats and a Libertarian looking to replace Bill Emmerson, who resigned last year.

Assemblyman Mike Morrell (R-Rancho Cucamonga) is widely seen as the leading contender for the district, whose voters are 41% Republican, 34% Democrat and 19% no party preference. The other Republican in the race is Crystal Ruiz, mayor pro tem of the San Jacinto City Council.

The two Democratic candidates are Ameenah Fuller, a government consultant, and Ronald J. O'Donnell, an attorney whose ballot designation is educator/author.

Jeff Hewitt, the Libertarian, is a member of the Calimesa City Council and a business owner.

The secretary of state announced the final list of candidates who will compete in a March 25 special election for a district that is mostly in San Bernardino County but also includes part of Riverside County.

If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two contenders will compete in a runoff June 3.

ALSO:

Opponents stock war chests for malpractice fight

Assembly fundraising race previews tough election battles

Solis faced federal inquiry concerning role in Obama fundraiser

patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com