This was sent to many of you from Mayor Steve Manos.
Here is my reply to 20,000 Lake Elsinore emails:
An Open Letter to the Citizens of Lake Elsinore: A Response to Mayor Steve Manos
I am Vincent Romo, running for Assembly in District 63 as a Republican, fully funding my campaign with my own money, free from endorsements or lobbyist influence. I planned to stay silent on Mayor Steve Manos’ recent attempt to slander my name, honoring Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment: "Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican." But by violating this principle, Mayor Manos has abandoned the values of our party, freeing me to respond.
Your outpouring of support—heartfelt messages from Lake Elsinore’s seniors, working-class families, and citizens burdened by poor leadership—has moved me deeply. Thank you for sharing your stories and evidence of Mayor Manos’ failures. Your voices compel me to stand up and fight for you.
Let’s ask the tough questions: Why is Mayor Manos, a realtor, so threatened by a self-funded Republican who opposes unchecked warehouse development? Why does Lake Elsinore’s leadership fear a candidate who champions transparency, accountability, and true Republican principles?
For 22 years, I’ve served the Republican cause—volunteering for a U.S. Senator, supporting a Burbank city council campaign, working with the Los Angeles GOP, and speaking at the Lincoln Club in Orange County. My record is unwavering, even though political gatekeepers in academia, unable to counter my logic, data, or ideas, forced me to run as "No Party Preference" to navigate their tactics.
This campaign isn’t about party labels—it’s about you, the people of Lake Elsinore. If Mayor Manos and his allies dismiss a principled Republican like me, how do they regard you? Are they prioritizing your needs or protecting their own interests? Their fear of my campaign exposes their true agenda: they dread a leader who rejects special-interest money, challenges the status quo, and puts our community above corporate profits.
I pledge transparency and accountability. I’m not chasing fame—I’ve already experienced it as an NCAA Division I football player featured on posters, billboards, and in media interviews. My mission is to dismantle a broken system, restore principled leadership, and uphold Republican values of limited government, individual freedom, and community strength.
To the many Lake Elsinore residents who have reached out, I hear you loud and clear. On Friday, I mailed a letter to 9,000 Lake Elsinore Republicans. On Saturday, I shared my vision with 25,000 residents of all parties. The establishment is rattled because they know we can win—and with your support, we will.
Do your research, compare the candidates, and vote for the leader who will put Lake Elsinore first. Together, we’ll build a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous future for our community.
Sincerely,
Vincent Romo
Candidate for California Assembly, District 63
My Letter to Lake Elsinore
My name Vincent Romo, and I’m running to represent Lake Elsinore and Assembly District 63 with honest, people-first leadership.
Growing up, I loved visiting my aunt and uncle here in the ‘90s—boating on the sparkling lake, watching paragliders soar, shopping at lively outlets, and cheering at Storm games. Those memories inspire me to restore that vibrancy for everyone.
My plan? Boost our economy with grants for education, community projects, and small businesses—funding for after-school programs to keep our youth away from crime and gangs. This isn’t about publicity—or fifteen minutes of fame for me—it’s about good government and doing what’s right for our community.
Unlike others in this race, I’ve taken zero lobbyist money, so I answer only to you—the residents. Transparency is my promise. We deserve a government that doesn’t hide how it spends our money or push projects that hurt our community.
Take the Baker Street Warehouse Project: two massive warehouses spanning over a million square feet on 65 acres. It’s a bad deal that threatens our quality of life, environment, and economic diversity. I’ll fight it.
Or look at Riverside County’s $12.6 million grant to house just 100 homeless people along Murrieta Creek Trail—that’s a shocking $126,000 per person! Where’s the breakdown? How much is actually helping people versus padding administrative costs? How many youth programs could we fund with $12.6 million? We need answers.
Then there’s the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District’s proposed rate hikes for 2026–2029: water rates jumping 9.75% a year, wastewater 7.8%, adding up to a 32.2% increase for water and 16.4% for wastewater over three years. For a standard 3/4” meter, fixed water charges will rise 28.9%, and residential rates 29.4%.
These hikes hit seniors and low-income families hardest, far outpacing wage growth, with no clear justification for $53.6 million in projects. And what about the persistent odor bothering Summerly residents for months? These issues demand accountability.
Endorsements won’t fix this—leadership will.
As a proven leader in business, education, and volunteering, I’ll bring clarity and fairness. As an academic, I back up my claims with facts. Together, we can build a thriving, transparent District 63. Vote for me, and let’s make Lake Elsinore shine again!
Vote for your interest, and always do your research!
Vincent Romo for California Assembly District 63
SOURCES | BIBLIOGRAPHY
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District. FY 2026 Cost-of-Service Rate Study (Draft). Lake Elsinore, CA: Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, May 8, 2025. https://evmwd.com/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/2025/05/EVMWD-2025-Cost-of-Service-Utility-Rate-Study-Draft-5-8-2025.pdf.
Cornell, Haley. “Lake Elsinore Encampment Residents to Get Housing Help: $12M CA Grant.” Patch, October 25, 2024. https://patch.com/california/lakeelsinore-wildomar/lake-elsinore-encampment-residents-get-housing-help-12m-ca-grant.
Benedict, Joy. “Lake Elsinore Residents Concerned over Strong Odor Plaguing Summerly.” CBS News Los Angeles, October 23, 2024. Video. https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/video/lake-elsinore-residents-concerned-over-strong-odor-plaguing-summerly/.
City of Lake Elsinore. “Baker Street Warehouse Project.” City of Lake Elsinore, July 15, 2024. https://www.lake-elsinore.org/666/Baker-Street-Warehouse-Project.