Foat, Lewin, Kors get local democratic PAC endorsement

Democratic candidates vying for the endorsement of the Desert Stonewall Democrats, an LGBTQ political action committee, made their cases heard at the PAC’s candidate forum held at the Mizell Senior Center tonight.

“I have no preconceived idea of what they’re going to say so I’m here to make up my mind,” said voter Richard Noble.

Before qualifying to speak at the forum, candidates had to fill out an 18-page questionnaire for the PAC. Most of the voters who packed the senior center came to hear specifically from the candidates for Palm Springs mayor and city council.

“With what we had with Steve Pougnet, it’s worrisome where we’re going and it’d be nicer to have a clearer understanding of the relationship between mayor, council and developers,” said voter Don Barrett.

After two-minute opening statements by each of the candidates, they answered questions directly from voters and members of the PAC.

Among the questions: whether the candidates support the Equality Act, and what they plan to do to help the transgender community.

“Our members are very aware of what’s happening around and they’re very interested,” said Ruth Debra, Chair of the Desert Stonewall Democrats.

The PAC had already announced an early endorsement for Palm Springs council candidate Geoff Kors earlier this summer and after tallying ballots from the forum the group endorsed councilman Paul Lewin to reclaim his seat and councilwoman Ginny Foat for mayor.

They also endorsed the only democratic candidates Larry Buchanan for Desert Hot Springs City Council, and Craig Ewing and Richard Oberhaus for the Desert Water Agency Board.

But it’s the voters will decide who will grab those seats come November.

“I think the city needs an active voter base to ensure there’s no corruption again because without that there is no insurance,” said Michael Birnberg, who stepped down from the mayoral race for Palm Springs last week.