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Your Vote

Ted Weill

Occupation: Councilmember Relevant Experience: Rancho Mirage councilmember since 2012 Represents the city in numerous committees including Vice-Chairman of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments executive committee Former Chairman of the Rancho Mirage Planning Commission Personal Information: Desert resident for 26 years United States Navy Veteran Graduate of the Wharton School of Finance at the University

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Rita Lamb

Occupation: Councilmember Relevant Experience: Election to City Council in 2019 Served as city’s mayor in 2023 Served on the Cathedral City Public Arts Commission Personal Information: Coachella Valley resident for more than 40 years Retired Elementary School Principal (Worked at DSUSD & CVUSD Owned and operated a real estate company and interior design business Social Media

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Scott Matas

Occupation: Mayor / Property Manager Relevant Experience: Desert Hot Springs Councilmember since 2007 City’s mayor since 2015 Member of the Desert Hot Springs Rotary Club Personal Information: Born and raised in Desert Hot Springs 20-year volunteer with the Desert Hot Springs Volunteer Fire Company Small business owner for nearly 10 years Social Media Facebook Instagram

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Michael O’Keefe

Occupation: Councilmember Relevant Experience: Appointed to city council in 2023 25 years of experience in business management Served on Desert Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Personal Information: Grew up in rural west Texas Full-time Coachella Valley resident since 1998 Known for his lifelong volunteer service Social Media Website Facebook

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Michael Hayes

Occupation: Retired businessman Relevant Experience: Retired travel agency business owner Personal Information: Cathedral City resident for 20 years US Marine Veteran Social Media Hayes is running to represent District 1: Cathedral City District 1Download

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Russell Betts

Occupation: Desert Hot Springs City Councilmember Relevant Experience: Served on the Desert Hot Springs City Council since December 2007 Previously served on the city’s Public Safety Commission Represents the city in the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Personal Information: Moved to Desert Hot Springs in 2002 Retired from a career in business and manufacturing Business

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Nate Lewis

Occupation: Business Owner Relevant Experience: Chief Operating Officer and Chief Revenue Officer for two local solar companies Served on the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce Personal Information: Raised in the Coachella Valley Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Dixie State University Volunteers at local youth sports organizations Social Media Website

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Mark Scharaga

Occupation: Chief Executive Officer Relevant Experience: Currently the CEO of an IT consulting company Spent 16 years in the public safety and education software industry Personal Information: Grew up in New Jersey Bought his home in Cathedral City in 2022 Earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington Became a sushi chef

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Stephen Giboney

Occupation: Self Employed Entrepreneur Relevant Experience: Previously ran for Desert Hot Springs mayor in 2018 Previously ran for Desert Hot Springs City Council in 2020 Personal Information: Originally from Manchester, New Hampshire Formerly lived in Florida and Ventura County Has been involved in theatre since the early 1990s and continues to be involved in the

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Gregory Goodman

Occupation: Business Owner Relevant Experience: 40+ years experience in the small business world Has opened flower shops in Ohio, Beverly Hills, and Palm Springs Personal Information: Coachella Valley residents for 12 years Attended Heidelberg College in Ohio Has done florals for 3 Presidents, 4 Inaugural Events, The Academy Awards, Golden Globe awards, and numerous celebrities

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Roger Nuñez

Occupation: Councilmember Relevant Experience: Desert Hot Springs Councilmember since 2020 Former Planning Commissioner for the City of Coachella Former President of the Mexican American Chamber of Commerce Personal Information: Coachella Valley resident for nearly 50 years Worked with the County of Riverside Children Services for 23 years Lifelong passion as a community organizer Social Media

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Wayne Avrashow

Occupation: Attorney / Author Relevant Experience: 30+ years experience as an attorney Served on two government commissions for nearly twenty years Top aide/Chief of Staff for Los Angeles City Councilmembers Zev Yaroslavsky and Bob Ronka Personal Information: Amazon bestselling novelist Supports various local charities Social Med Website Facebook

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Nancy Ross

Occupation: Councilmember Relevant Experience: Elected to councilmember 2020 Currently Mayor Pro Tem Served on Cannabis and Homeless task forces Personal Information: Cathedral City resident since 2015 Over 30 years of experience as a business owner Director of the American Civil Liberties Union Social Media Website Facebook Ross is up for District 2 of the City

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Daniel Pitts

Occupation: Business owner Relevant Experience: Served on the Board of Directors for the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce Served as a Code Compliance Official in multiple California cities Former HOA President at the Mountain View private community Personal Information: Originally from Downey, CA Moved to Desert Hot Springs in 2015 Regional Manager/Vice President roles in

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Dirk Voss

Occupation: Planning Commissioner / Business owner Relevant Experience: Chair of the Desert Hot Springs Planning Commission Served on the City Redevelopment Successor Agency Oversight Board Served on the City Community and Cultural Affairs Commission Personal Information: Homeowner in Desert Hot Springs for 12 years Created his business in 2015 Over 25 years of professional experience

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Charles Lantz

Occupation: Car Hauler / Minister Relevant Experience: Former director of security at Agua Caliente Casino Spent nearly 10 years in the Army Personal Information: Desert Hot Springs resident since 1978 Studied Criminal Justice at Austin Peay State University Social Media Facebook

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Thomas Moen

Occupation: Businessman Relevant Experience: Served as President of the Desert Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Was on committee to establish the DHS police department Personal Information: Originally from Spokane, WA Desert Hot Springs resident for 45 years Manager at Rose Mortuary for 25 years Social Media Website Facebook

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Gary Carroll

Occupation: Retired Relevant Experience: Retired as a Senior Accountant for Desert Hot Springs 45 years of experience in finance Provided community service in local schools and homeless shelters Personal Information: Desert Hot Springs resident since 2018 Coachella Valley resident for 40 years Served in the Vietnam War Social Media Website Facebook

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Election impact on Palm Springs Pride

This year’s Palm Springs Pride falls on an election year. Historically, this has impacted celebrations across the country, from more activism and political mobilization to possible protests. According to a GLAAD 2024 voter poll, 94% of LGBTQ Americans are motivated to vote. LGBTQ voters are also a decisive voter bloc. Stay with News Channel 3

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