Joe Males

Joe Males says the death of his son changed his direction in life. His son had followed him into the Marines and was later killed back home. Males links that loss to his decision to seek local office and make public safety a central concern.¹

He enlisted shortly after turning eighteen, trained at Camp Pendleton and served in the Philippines and Guam before leaving the Marines as a sergeant. His later community work included leadership in his local Elks Lodge and American Legion post, helping support other veterans.¹

Males moved into computer networking after military service, starting in an entry level position and eventually opening his own business in 1996.¹ A Hemet resident since 2005, he has served on the city council and as mayor pro tem, bringing local government experience to his congressional campaign.²

His campaign emphasizes safer neighborhoods, infrastructure, business growth and support for people trying to start and operate companies. He says he wants to work with colleagues across disagreements and bring the concerns of the Inland Empire and Imperial County to Washington.¹ The Republican is challenging Democratic incumbent Raul Ruiz, an emergency physician whose work in Congress has focused heavily on health care and veterans' benefits.³