Castillo and Cervantes Trade Past Scandals in Riverside Race
Assemblywoman Leticia Castillo and challenger Clarissa Cervantes face scrutiny over adult entertainment and DUI histories in a tight Riverside County reelection contest.
California Republican Assemblywoman Leticia Castillo and Democratic challenger Clarissa Cervantes are locked in a heated reelection battle in Riverside County. The contest is a rematch of the 2024 race, which Castillo won by 596 votes.
Castillo, who campaigns on traditional family values and has championed legislation restricting transgender rights, acknowledged that she operated adult entertainment websites under the names Silky Santana and Silky Smooth during the 2000s. She described the period as a dark chapter that she left behind through her Christian faith.
Cervantes, a Riverside City Council member, is facing scrutiny over two DUI arrests. This includes a 2023 conviction that resulted in probation and a work release program. Her campaign states she has taken full accountability and completed recovery programs. Additionally, Moses Bolanos, the father of Cervantes' daughter, retracted previous allegations of drug use against her, stating he made up the claims while young and immature.
