Wildomar Cancels District 2 Election Due To Lack Of Challenger

Wildomar City Councilmember Dustin Nigg was reappointed to his seat last week following the cancellation of the District 2 election due to the lack of a qualified challenger at the close of the nomination period.

“Dustin Nigg would serve the full four year term beginning December 2024 and would serve exactly as if he were elected,” Janet Morales, city clerk, said. “The adoption of the resolution would then cancel the election in that district … [and] the city clerk’s office cannot accept any write in candidate filings for the Nov. 5 general municipal election in District 2.”

Councilmember Joseph Morabito lamented the lack of contested races, a concern that has plagued the city since its 2008 incorporation. When the city was first incorporated, the council was elected to represent districts. 

“The residents might not have understood that it’s not to their advantage, you get one representative instead of all five,” he said. “So it was put back on the ballot [to go to at-large elections].”

In that election, voters approved the ballot measure to go back to at-large elections, meaning all residents would have the opportunity to vote every election. However, under the threat of a lawsuit, the city decided to switch back to districts.

“In a city like ours, it’s really a shame when we’ve gone into districts and for this reason alone,” Morabito said. “My learned colleague Dustin has had the great fortune of having no one ever run against him.”

Nigg said he was taking the lack of a challenger as a confirmation that he was doing a good job on the council.

“I’m happy to be a representative of our people,” he said.

The city will save approximately $13,000 by not holding the election for District 2.

A full recording of the meeting can be found here on the city’s website.