Voters react to tight race for 2nd PS council seat

It’s a paper thin difference in votes for Palm Springs City Council’s second vacant seat.

“It’s a small town and these things do come down to a small number of votes,” said Mindy Reed who owns businesses in downtown Palm Springs.

Just 20 ballots place planning commissioner J.R. Roberts ahead of incumbent Paul Lewin.

“I didn’t think it would be that close,” said Palm Springs resident Rod Reinbold.

But that could all change in a few days, when the Riverside County Registrar releases numbers for the remaining provisional and damaged ballots.

“It’s gotta be really tough for them. tough for all of us I guess,” said Palm Springs voter Bob Collins, who’s rooting for Lewin.

Roberts says he’s holding off on celebrating.

“Really out of respect for Paul Lewin, and to the democratic process in general, we really need to just relax for a few days,” Roberts said.

The mayoral race on the other hand was a clean victory for first-time candidate Robert Moon.

“It’s the most amazing feeling and I can’t thank you enough,” Moon said at his election party.

Moon defeated council woman Ginny Foat by more than a thousand votes.

“I’m happy for him it’s pretty great, he won landslide,” Roberts said.

A landslide in a dramatic election season that played out amid a public corruption investigation by the attorney general’s office.

“U think that’s what had people vote for the non-incumbents,” said voter James Fogarty.

Those votes representing the hope that new leadership will offer the city a fresh start.

“Voters, they lost trust. and when you lose public trust the best thing to do is start over,” Roberts said.

Lewin did not want to comment for this report. Final election results will be released on Friday, November 6 at 6pm.