Wikipedia

Natasha Johnson

Natasha Johnson
Member of the California State Assembly from the 63rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
September 8, 2025
Preceded byBill Essayli
Mayor of Lake Elsinore
In office
2023–2024
Preceded byTimothy J. Sheridan
Succeeded bySteve Manos
In office
2018–2019
Preceded byRobert E. Magee
Succeeded bySteve Manos
In office
2014–2015
Preceded byRobert E. Magee
Succeeded bySteve Manos
Mayor Pro Tem of Lake Elsinore
In office
2022–2023
Preceded byTimothy J. Sheridan
Succeeded bySteve Manos
In office
2017–2018
Preceded byRobert E. Magee
Succeeded bySteve Manos
In office
2013–2014
Preceded byDaryl Hickman
Succeeded bySteve Manos
Member of the Lake Elsinore City Council from District 4
In office
2012 – September 2025
Preceded byMelissa Melendez
Succeeded byVacant
Personal details
BornNatasha Danielle Naranjo[1]
1977 or 1978 (age 47–48)
Political partyRepublican
SpouseScott Johnson
Children3
ResidenceLake Elsinore, California

Natasha Johnson (born 1977/1978) is an American politician and businesswoman who has served in the California State Assembly from the 63rd district since September 2025, after winning a special election to replace Bill Essayli. She previously served on the city council of Lake Elsinore, California, including three terms as mayor, from 2012 to 2025.

Career

[edit]

Johnson previously worked in personal finance and most recently in a marketing role for Navy Federal Credit Union.[2][3]

Lake Elsinore City Council

[edit]

Johnson was first elected to the Lake Elsinore city council in 2012.[2] Johnson served as mayor for the city three times, and as mayor pro tem three times.[4]

In 2018, she served her second term as mayor, having been selected by fellow councilmembers.[5] She again served as mayor in 2023.[6] In 2018, she voted unanimously with the city council to express the city's opposition to SB 54, which prevents state and local law enforcement agencies from using their resources on behalf of federal immigration enforcement agencies including ICE.[7]

California State Assembly

[edit]

Following incumbent Republican Bill Essayli's resignation from the California State Assembly, Johnson announced her campaign for the special election to fill his term.[8] Essayli endorsed her the day after resigning.[9] She advanced from the blanket primary to a run-off against Democratic candidate Chris Shoults.[10] She declared victory over Shoults on election night and was sworn in on September 8, 2025.[11][12]

Electoral history

[edit]
2025 California State Assembly 63rd district special election
Vacancy resulting from the resignation of Bill Essayli[13][14]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Natasha Johnson 26,735 46.2
Democratic Chris Shoults 25,557 44.1
Republican Vincent Romo 4,881 8.4
Libertarian Zachary T. Consalvo 756 1.3
American Independent Maricar Payad (write-in) 1 0.0
Total votes 57,930 100.0
General election
Republican Natasha Johnson 34,866 53.5
Democratic Chris Shoults 30,332 46.5
Total votes 64,198 100.0
Republican hold

References

[edit]
  1. ^ https://natashajohnsonforassembly.com/about/
  2. ^ a b Horseman, Jeff (May 27, 2025). "63rd Assembly District special election candidates answer questions". The Press-Enterprise. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  3. ^ "Natasha Johnson - Digital Democracy". CalMatters. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  4. ^ "CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE - CITY MAYOR AND COUNCIL HISTORY". LakeElsinore.org. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  5. ^ Downey, David (December 13, 2017). "Natasha Johnson to lead Lake Elsinore as mayor through 2018". The Press-Enterprise. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  6. ^ "Leadership changes for Lake Elsinore City Council". Valley News. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  7. ^ "Lake Elsinore leaders vote to oppose state's sanctuary law". Press Enterprise. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  8. ^ Horseman, Jeff (April 4, 2025). "Lake Elsinore Councilmember Natasha Johnson seeks Bill Essayli's Assembly seat". The Press-Enterprise. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  9. ^ Brennan, Deborah (April 9, 2025). "Riverside County to get special election after lawmaker leaves". CalMatters. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  10. ^ Horseman, Jeff (July 3, 2025). "Race to replace ex-Inland assemblymember Bill Essayli heads to runoff". The Press-Enterprise. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  11. ^ Horseman, Jeff (August 27, 2025). "Natasha Johnson declares victory over Chris Shoults in Inland Assembly race". The Press-Enterprise. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  12. ^ Horseman, Jeff (September 9, 2025). "New Inland Assemblymember Natasha Johnson takes oath of office". The Press-Enterprise. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  13. ^ "Official Canvass - State Assembly - 63rd District* - Special Primary Election, June 24, 2025" (PDF). Secretary of State of California.
  14. ^ "Official Canvass - State Assembly - 63rd District* - Special General Election, August 26, 2025" (PDF). Secretary of State of California.
[edit]