Assemblywoman Natasha Johnson resigns Lake Elsinore council seat; council to consider replacement

Assemblywoman Natasha Johnson submitted her resignation from the Lake Elsinore City Council effective Sept. 8, 2025 after being sworn in to the California State Assembly, Mayor Tisdale read during the council meeting.

Johnson said in a written statement read aloud that she was "filled with deep gratitude, humility and reflection" and that she had served on the council since November 2012. The letter, introduced at the meeting, listed accomplishments Johnson attributed to her time on the council, including work on a lake management plan, LaunchPoint, public-safety efforts and infrastructure projects.

The resignation becomes effective on Sept. 8, 2025, the same afternoon Johnson was sworn into the state Legislature, according to the letter read at the meeting. Mayor Tisdale and several council members offered congratulations on her election and swearing-in during council comments.

Mayor Tisdale said a council agenda in the coming weeks will include an item to address how the city will fill the now-vacant council seat. No formal appointment or special-election decision was taken at the meeting.

The council did not take any immediate action to fill the vacancy during the hearing; council members indicated the process for replacement will be discussed at the next meeting.

Assemblywoman Natasha Johnson's letter and the council's acknowledgment concluded without a formal vote related to the resignation itself; the council instead moved to business items after public acknowledgements and proclamations.

Looking ahead, councilmembers said they will bring the process for filling the vacancy to a future agenda so the city can decide between appointment or election options.

Ending: The council meeting closed its business items after the announcements; the replacement process for the vacant seat will be considered at the next council meeting.