Coachella Valley Local and State Candidate List Released
Coachella Valley residents are preparing to cast their votes — as local elections approach.
Riverside County recently released the full list of all local and state candidates.
Palm Springs
In Palm Springs — 2 longterm coucilmembers are running for different offices — leaving their positions open.
Councilmember Lisa Middleton, representing district 5 — is running for California State Senate District 19.
Former City Manager David Ready is the only candidate running for the District 5 seat.
Councilmember Christy Holstege, who represents district 4, is making a second run for 47th district Assemblymember.
The Riverside County District Attorney is investigating Holstege over claims that she has lived outside the district she represents. News Channel 3 will continue to follow that investigation.
There are 5 candidates running for Holstege’s seat including:
Ernest Ceceña, Compliance Manager
Joesph Jackson, Water Company Officer
Anna Nevenich , Registered Nurse
David Rios, Interior Designer
Naomi Soto, Public Health Professional
Cathedral City
There are city council seats up for grabs in Cathedral City.
Incumbent councilmember Rita Lamb, representing district 1, is running for re-election against two challengers.
Michael Haynes, Retired Businessman
Mark Scharaga, Chief Executive Officer
District 2 councilmember Nancy Ross is running unopposed.
Rancho Mirage
In Rancho Mirage 2 City Council seats are open.
Incumbent councilmembers John Michael O'Keefe and Ted Weill are running.
O'Keefe was appointed to the vacancy.
Other candidates include:
Wayne Avrashow, Attorney
Gregory Goodman, Business Owner
Nate Lewis, Business Owner
Desert Hot Springs
In Desert Hot Springs current Mayor Scott Matus is seeking re-election for his fourth term.
He's up against
Steve Giboney, Self-employed Entrepreneur
Russell Betts, Current Councilmember
There are 2 candidates running for City Council seats in district 2.
Roger V. Nuńez, City Councilman
Daniel Pitts, Business Owner
In district 4, here's who running:
Dirk Voss, Planning Commissioner / Businessman
Charles Lantz, Car hauler / Minister
Thomas P. Moen, Businessman
Gary Carroll, retired Accountant
La Quinta
In La Quinta, current Mayor Linda Evans is seeking re-election.
She will face one opponent.
Robert Sylk, Businessman
There are 3 candidates for City Council.
Kathleen Fitzpatrick, La Quinta Council Member
Steve Sanchez, La Quinta Council Member
Joe Johnson, Mediator
Palm Desert
Seats in districts 1,2 and 3 in Palm Desert are up.
Incumbent councilmember Karina Quintanilla is running for district 1.
She's up against Chris Scott, small business owner.
Indian Wells
In Indian Wells there are 4 candidates running for city council roles.
Including:
Mayor Greg Sanders
Brian Penna, Corporate Controller
Toper Taylor, Businessman
Yvonne Sklar, Hospice Corporate Chaplin
Indio
In Indio, City Council seats are open in 2 districts.
Incumbent councilmember Glen Miller representing district 1 is running unopposed.
Incumbent councilmember Lupe Ramos Amith, district 5, is running for re-election.
He'll face Ben Guitron, Indio Police Administration Officer.
Coachella
In Coachella, current Mayor Steven Hernandez is seeking re-election.
He will be running against current councilmember Frank Figueroa.