The political fate of Temecula school board President Joseph Komrosky rests in the hands of about 22,000 voters who, on Tuesday, June 4, .
How did we get here? What happens if Komrosky is recalled?
Here are some answers.
Why is there a recall?
Komrosky, along with two other Christian conservatives, have pursued a controversial agenda since of board seats in late 2022.
Among other moves, Komrosky, Jen Wiersma and Danny Gonzalez, , , approved a policy and feuded with over that indirectly referenced civil rights leader Harvey Milk — a “pedophile,” .
While Komrosky and Wiersma have their defenders, critics, led by , organized a recall campaign and managed to get enough signatures from voters in Komrosky’s district to force a recall.
Why is the recall a hot-button issue?
At stake is how many seats conservatives will continue to keep on the school board.
If Komrosky is recalled, only Wiersma would be left from the slate endorsed by the Christian conservative .
Just about anything having to do with the school board is a touchy topic in an area to which many families moved to benefit from the district’s stellar academic reputation. The conservatives’ backers say they’re standing up for parents’ rights and against “woke” indoctrination and inappropriate, overtly sexual classroom material.
Critics contend the conservatives want to dismantle public education and impose a right-wing, Christian nationalist agenda. The conservatives’ cultural war fights have cost taxpayers thousands in legal bills and ignore the nuts-and-bolts issues facing Temecula schools, One Temecula Valley PAC argues.
How will the election work?
The roughly 22,000 voters in Komrosky’s Trustee Area 4 . They can mail their ballots back or drop off those ballots or vote in-person at several locations before and during Election Day on June 4.
Voting is only open to Trustee Area 4 voters. Area 4 includes locations between Temecula Parkway and Rancho California Road and extends into Temecula Valley Wine Country.
Ballots have just one question — should Komrosky be recalled? Yes or no are the only options.
How much will the recall cost?
About $75,000, according to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters, which is overseeing the election. The school district is responsible for covering that price tag.
How many ballots have been returned so far?
As of Wednesday, May 23, 4,629 of 21,958 mail-in ballots — 21% — have been returned, according to registrar of voters spokesperson Elizabeth Florer.
What happens if the recall fails?
Komrosky remains in office. His term runs through 2026.
What if he’s recalled?
Komrosky must leave office immediately, leaving a vacancy on the five-member board that’s already missing Gonzalez, who wasn’t immediately replaced after resigning in December.
If Komrosky is recalled, how will he be replaced?
The remaining board members — Wiersma, Allison Barclay and Steven Schwartz — could call for a special election or appoint someone to fill the open seat.
Barclay and Schwartz have consistently opposed the conservatives’ agenda and an earlier attempt to appoint someone to fill Gonzalez’s seat fizzled .
If that happens, an election to replace Komrosky would likely take place later this year.
