Lake Elsinore City Council Look To Filling Empty Seat Left By Natasha Johnson

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — The Lake Elsinore City Council will review next steps at their next meeting following the resignation of Natasha Johnson, who now serves on the California Assembly.

The sitting councilmembers, consisting of Mayor Brian Tisdale, Mayor Pro Tem Robert 'Bob' Magee, and Councilmembers Timothy J. Sheridan and Steve Manos will discuss filling the District 4 seat at its next meeting on Sept. 23. The agenda for that meeting has not yet been released.

Johnson was sworn into office on Sept. 8 to serve the 63rd Assembly District, completing U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli's term. She plans on running again, for a full term, according to reports. She defeated her Democratic opponent, Chris Shoults, in the special election to fill the former Riverside County Assemblymember Bill Essayli's seat.

Johnson originally announced her candidacy in April, and pledged to bring “common sense” back to Sacramento. The Republican has already received an endorsement from Essayli and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who is running for governor in 2026.

"I've selected Natasha because I know that she is a fighter and she will carry on my message and the battles that we've had in Sacramento, whether that's on public safety or parental rights," Essayli said.