From Local Roots to City Hall
Steve Manos has deep roots in Lake Elsinore, the city he would eventually lead. Having been raised in the area since 1987, he attended Temescal Canyon High School before launching a career as a real estate broker and business owner in 1996. His early professional life was grounded in the local community, including a stint as President of the Inland Valleys Association of Realtors. His entry into public service began with volunteer work, such as serving as a Sector Commander for the Lake Elsinore Citizens Emergency Response Team. This foundation in local business and community service set the stage for his political ambitions. In 2012, Manos was elected to the Lake Elsinore City Council, marking his formal entry into local government. He has been on the council
ever since, representing District 2.
A Long-Tenured Mayor and Councilman
During his extensive tenure on the city council, Manos has served multiple terms as the Mayor of Lake Elsinore, a rotating position among council members. He held the mayoral title in 2015, 2019, and was slated for terms in 2024 and 2026. As a council member and mayor, his focus has been on economic development, public safety, and government efficiency. Supporters credit his leadership with contributing to a variety of municipal improvements, including reduced crime rates, new infrastructure projects, and increased business recruitment. He has also been a vocal proponent of taking aggressive measures to reduce homelessness, claiming the city cut its unsheltered population by half during his time in office through regional partnerships and proactive outreach.
Policy Stances and Regional Influence
Beyond his city-level duties, Manos has held numerous positions on regional boards, significantly expanding his influence across Riverside County. His resume includes directorships at the Southern California Association of Governments, the League of California Cities, and the Riverside County Habitat Conservation Authority. These roles involve policy-making on a wider scale, impacting everything from regional transportation to environmental conservation. His key policy stances often reflect a pro-business and public safety-oriented platform. He advocates for empowering law enforcement and opposes what he terms state-level “criminal justice reform” that reduces penalties for crimes. On the economic front, he has focused on fiscal discipline, lowering property taxes where possible, and removing regulatory barriers to attract new businesses and housing development.
Ambitions for Higher Office
After more than a decade in local government, Manos has set his sights on national politics. He unsuccessfully ran for the California State Assembly in 2020, losing in the primary. Undeterred, he is currently a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking to represent California's 39th Congressional District. His campaign themes build upon his local record, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, support for veterans, and addressing the affordability crisis. He has specifically called for federal funding to repair and expand the 215 freeway, a critical infrastructure issue for the growing region. His 2026 congressional run positions him against incumbent Mark Takano, after both advanced from the primary earlier in the year.
