Two potential candidates are preparing to challenge California Republican Assembly member Chad Mayes of Yucca Valley in the June 2018 primary. Gary Jeandron, former Palm Springs Police Chief, has been seeking the support of local GOP organizers, He’s expected to officially announce his campaign today. Jeandron is the second person to seek the nomination for the 42nd District. The first person to announce their candidacy was Andrew Kotyuk, a San Jacinto council member. Jeandron retired from the Palm Springs Police Department in 2006, He competed for the Assembly in 2008 and lost. In 2010, Jeandron challenged John Benoit for the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and lost, then he finished third in the 2014 primary behind Mayes. After serving on the Yucca Valley Town Council, Mayes was elected to the Assembly in 2014 and become the Republican caucus leader for almost two years. He was forced out of that position in August after a controversial vote in favor of cap and trade which would require polluters to purchase permits.
