Sentinel staff report–
Ray Riehle, a local business owner and Citrus Heights Water District board member, announced Monday that he is running for a seat in the United States Congress, currently held by Ami Bera.
Riehle, who lives in Orangevale and owns A-Applied Mailing Service on Antelope Road, is well-known in Citrus Heights politics and the business community. His wife, Diane Ebbitt-Riehle, also currently serves as executive director for the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce.
In a Sept. 11 news release, Riehle said Bera “does nothing to secure our borders and stop the free flow of illegal immigrants and drugs.” He also criticized the congressman for voting against HR 734, which Riehle said would “protect women’s sports.” The bill, which passed the House of Representatives earlier this year, would bar athletic programs that receive federal aid from permitting “a person whose sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity that is designated for women or girls.”
Congressional District 6 covers Citrus Heights and includes the communities of Rio Linda and Rancho Cordova. According to his campaign website, Riehle’s endorsements include former Citrus Heights council members Jeff Slowey, Al Fox, and Jeannie Bruins, along with several elected water district officials in the region.
If elected, Riehle said he will use his business experience, values, and community commitment “to restore prosperity and opportunity to the district and America.”
Citrus Heights Vice Mayor Bret Daniels initially announced plans to run for Bera’s seat earlier this year, but withdrew those plans last month after Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost announced she will retire. Daniels said last month that he will seek the District 4 seat on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors.
Bera first joined congress in 2012 and most recently won re-election in 2022 with the recently redrawn District 6, where he won 55.9% of the vote and beat Republican challenger Tamika Hamilton. He currently serves on the Committee on Intelligence, including the National Security Agency & Cyber subcommittee.
