Desert Stonewall Democrats rescind endorsement of DHS Council Candidate

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - The Desert Stonewall Democrats have rescinded their endorsement of Desert Hot Springs City Councilman Gary Gardner, who represents District 1 currently.

According to a news release from the group they stated, "This decision was not made lightly, and it is with extreme difficulty and deep disappointment that we must revoke our support for a community leader whom we once trusted and held in high regard."

"In recent months, however, that community trust has been broken. Councilman Gardner has demonstrated that he prioritizes political relationships of convenience over his commitment as a leader in the LGBTQ+ community. Specifically, Gardner has chosen to maintain and defend a political alliance with former Desert Hot Springs Mayor Pro-Tem and Councilman Roger Nuñez, who has used a derogatory term in conversations to describe gay men."

Council Member Gary Gardner's Full Statement:

"Organizations such as Stonewall Democrats are free to endorse or remove endorsements at will of course. It’s unfortunate that they have yet to formally notify me of their action and I only have seen social media posts or press releases or gotten secondhand reports from the meeting. Nor was I given a chance to address the additional allegations other than the so-called “endorsement” of Mr. Nunez in his race this year. I have not endorsed Mr. Nunez in his current race for PSUSD, and Mr. Nunez himself has told them that fact. I condemned Mr. Nunez comment from two years ago, I called on him to apologize, but as noted in their press release. I won’t make the leap to say he is “anti-gay” for the unfortunate use of a colloquial term in a private conversation, especially when that term can and is used to mean things other than an anti-gay slur, and I have known him for 10 years and my partner was his campaign treasurer.

I was not afforded the opportunity to address the other allegations – one going back over 20 years, and neither of which are relevant to my current role as a city council member in Desert Hot Springs -- a non-partisan position. I think it is a good reflection on me if I have support from both sides of the political spectrum. It means I’m doing my job for ALL the residents of DHS.

I retain the endorsements of the California State Democratic Party (CALDEM), the Riverside County Democratic Party (RCDP), and the Harvey Milk Democratic Club here in the valley. I live my values which reflect the Democratic Party, and I will continue to work to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. My constituents know my accomplishments and goals for the city as well as my values, and they are ultimately the ones who make their choice on their ballot.

Their action rescinding my endorsement – despite endorsing me in all my two previous races, have nothing to do with my current work as a City Council Member in Desert Hot Springs, or the things that I have accomplished in that role. Nor are they related to the values I hold and that align with the values of the Democratic Party. My actions and values are what I should be judged on, and that’s what the voters will ultimately judge me on.

I remain focused on serving my city as I was elected to do, and on my positive re-election campaign based on my accomplishments as a City Council Member and on my vision for the future of Desert Hot Springs."

Gardner has been on the Council since December 2018. He is currently running against Edward Boumendil for the District 1 seat."