Joe Males

Males enlisted in the Marine Corps shortly after turning 18 and attended boot camp at Camp Pendleton. He served overseas in the Philippines and Guam before being honorably discharged as a Sergeant.[1][2] He then worked in computer networking services, starting in an entry-level position and moving through leadership roles, and in 1996 he started his own business, JM Consulting, according to the City of Hemet. He and his wife moved to Hemet in 2005.[1][2]

In Hemet, Males volunteered helping seniors with computers and joined Hemet Elks Lodge 1740 and American Legion Post 53, where the city's biography says he became Post Commander.[1][2] According to his campaign website, his entry into politics followed the murder of his son, a Marine, and he ran for the Hemet City Council to work on public safety and the rule of law. He represents District 4 and is the city's Mayor Pro Tem, and the website says he has led initiatives on infrastructure, business growth, and keeping neighborhoods safe and clean.[1][2] His campaign website said he ran to bring leadership and solutions to Washington for the Inland Empire and Imperial County.[1][2] He received 35.0% of the vote to Raul Ruiz's 65.0%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[3]