Menifee City Council District 2 · Nov 3, 2026
Ben Diederich
Candidate for City Council District 2 (incumbent)
Ben Diederich, the incumbent, is running for Menifee City Council District 2 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Thomas Patrick Fuhrman and Laz C. Peterson.
Vote-by-mail ballots begin mailing · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayDistrict 2 councilmember appointed in 2025 after six years on the Menifee Planning Commission. He opened his law firm in Menifee in 2016.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Appointed Councilmember / Businessman
- Endorsed by
- U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert, State Sen. Kelly Seyarto, Supervisor Chuck Washington, Councilmembers Bob Karwin, Dan Temple and Dean Deines, CAL FIRE Local 2881 and IBEW Local 440, among others listed on his site Ben Diederich campaign site
- Campaign website
- www.benformenifee.com
Ben Diederich was appointed to the District 2 seat in January 2025 to fill the vacancy created when Ricky Estrada was elected mayor. Menifee 24/7 · Jun 6, 2026
Mayor Pro Tem Bob Karwin and Councilmembers Dan Temple and Dean Deines are listed as endorsers on Ben Diederich's campaign site. Ben Diederich campaign site
Where Ben Diederich stands: positions on the record
Warehouses4 sourced positions
As reported by Menifee 24/7
Says he weighs each warehouse project on location, land use, environmental impacts, nearby homes and infrastructure rather than voting for or against them as a group.
“I don’t cast blanket votes for or against warehouses”
Own statementMenifee 24/7 · Aug 17, 2026
Voted yes on granting the project applicant's appeal and approving the Murrieta Road Warehouse Project (passed 4-1, June 2026).
Council voteMenifee City Council minutes, June 17, 2026 · Jun 17, 2026
Voted yes on denying appeals and approving the Trumble and Watson Warehouse (passed 4-1, July 2026).
Council voteMenifee City Council minutes, July 15, 2026 · Jul 15, 2026
Voted yes on approving the Northern Gateway Logistics Center warehouse project and denying appeals, including one by the City of Perris (passed 4-1, July 2025).
Council voteMenifee City Council minutes, July 16, 2025 · Jul 16, 2025
Growth and infrastructure2 sourced positions
His statement lists planning for growth and making developers pay their fair share among his priorities.
“plan for growth wisely and make developers pay their fair share”
Own statementRiverside County Registrar of Voters
Voted yes on starting formation of a Public Safety Community Facilities District, a special tax district (passed 4-1, June 2026).
Council voteMenifee City Council minutes, June 17, 2026 · Jun 17, 2026
Flock cameras1 sourced position
As reported by Menifee 24/7; not a direct quote
Supports license plate reader cameras with oversight and limits on their use; said he would reconsider if the system were misused locally.
Forum answerMenifee 24/7 · Sep 24, 2026
E-bikes1 sourced position
As reported by Menifee 24/7; not a direct quote
Called for greater parental responsibility and said he asked for a future council discussion on strengthening the city's e-bike ordinance.
Forum answerMenifee 24/7 · Sep 24, 2026
Sports park2 sourced positions
As reported by Menifee 24/7; not a direct quote
Supported a regional sports complex, saying tournaments could support hotels and other businesses.
Forum answerMenifee 24/7 · Sep 24, 2026
Requested a future council item on the feasibility of a regional sports park (May 2025).
Own statementMenifee City Council minutes, May 7, 2025 · May 7, 2025
Amphitheater1 sourced position
Voted yes on adding $50,000 to the construction management contract for the Central Park Amphitheater (passed 4-1, May 2026).
Council voteMenifee City Council minutes, May 6, 2026 · May 6, 2026
Budget1 sourced position
Voted yes to adopt the city's 2025-26 and 2026-27 biennial budget (passed 5-0, June 2025).
Council voteMenifee City Council minutes, June 18, 2025 · Jun 18, 2025
Past candidacies1 sourced position
Ran for Menifee City Council, District 2 in 2022 (lost).
Own statementCity of Menifee · Nov 8, 2022
Also running for City Council District 2
All 6 Menifee candidates →Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →
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