A post by James “Stew” Stewart on social media Friday, Aug. 21, seems to indicate that his decision to step down from the Temecula City Council and his role as mayor was made under the pressure of a perceived threat to the city of Temecula. Valley News/Courtesy photo
Former Temecula Mayor James Stewart continues to lead his opponents in his attempt to the Temecula City Council after resigning five months ago over an email that was criticized as racist, although he has always maintained it resulted from a typo.Results released by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters’ office at 6 p.m. Nov. 5 showed Stewart ahead with 1,716 votes in the four-way race for Temecula City Council District 4, followed by Adam Ruiz with 1,282 votes, Sonia Perez with 866 votes and Mark Gular with 646 votes.It’s been a tumultuous year for Stewart’s political fortunes — he had the title of mayor passed to him in December 2019, stepped down both as mayor and from his City Council seat in June, and now appears likely to head back to the City Council this December
