Temple City‘s city attorney halted a campaign event for U.S. Congressional candidate Maeve Reston on thursday, citing violations of municipal election law. Reston, a Democrat running to represent California’s 27th Congressional District, was hosting a meet-and-greet at a local park when City Attorney Joseph A. Bianco intervened.
Bianco steadfast the event violated Temple City’s municipal code prohibiting campaigning on city property within 60 days of an election. The primary election is March 5th, placing Reston’s event, held February 22nd, squarely within the restricted period. “That’s illegal,” Bianco stated, according to a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) by local resident, Brian Mejia. “You cannot be campaigning on city property.”
The city’s municipal code section 2.04.110 explicitly forbids the use of city-owned facilities or property for political campaign activities during the 60-day period preceding an election. Bianco explained the rule aims to prevent the appearance of city endorsement of any candidate.
Reston’s campaign acknowledged the issue, stating they were unaware of the specific Temple City ordinance.Campaign spokesperson, Ben Anderson, said the event was intended as a community gathering, not a formal campaign rally. The campaign instantly complied with Bianco’s request to cease campaigning at the park.
California’s 27th Congressional District encompasses portions of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. The seat is currently held by Representative Pete Aguilar,who Reston is challenging. Reston is one of several Democrats vying for the opportunity to face Aguilar in the November general election.
