One-term Assemblyman Bill Essayli, R-Norco, Wednesday appeared bound for victory over Democrat challenger Christopher Shoults in the race for the 63rd District seat.
With nearly 50% of votes tabulated from Tuesday’s election, the spread between the incumbent and Shoults widened to 17%, though Essayli has not declared himself the winner.
The former federal and state prosecutor was first elected in 2022 and has established himself since as a conservative firebrand. Shoults has cast himself as a moderate Democrat willing to “work with anyone in either party to get things done.”
Essayli has stood firm against tax hikes and has been an outspoken advocate for cuts in gasoline taxes, tougher anti-crime measures, controls on illegal immigration and proposals to make lawmakers more accountable, especially when they’re caught breaking the law, as in cases of drunken driving.
“Democrats also want to strip away parental rights,” he said in a campaign statement. “A high school student under 18 needs their parent’s permission to get their ears pierced, but Democrats want them to be able to change their gender without even notifying parents. That is dangerous and wrong. I have led the fight to put parents back in control.”
Essayli said putting more Democrats in the Legislature will only bolster the “one-party rule” that has led to the “tax-and-regulate policies” which have made California an increasingly expensive place to live.
Shoults is originally from Wyoming, where the father of three farmed and taught school before relocating with his family to Riverside County, where he has been an English teacher at the high school and college levels.
“Like many working families, (I’ve) gained first-hand experience with the issues that impact the most, from rising costs of living and an uncertain economy to health care and education,” he said in campaign literature.
Shoults is a union activist and received a string of endorsements from unions, including the California Teachers Association, California Labor Federation, United Food & Commercial Workers International Union Local 1167 and Unite Here Local 11.
“I’ve spent my life either operating and fixing machinery on the farm — or teaching students how to prepare themselves for a bright future in an uncertain time,” he said. “That’s why I’m fed up with Sacramento politicians, who are more focused on extreme politics or partisan games, instead of results.”
Shoults vowed that, if elected, he would prioritize legislation that promotes “good-paying job opportunities, a lower cost of living” and affordable housing.