Election results show potential shakeups in Cathedral City Council and Treasurer races

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) - Election results show potential changes in Cathedral City's leadership, with challengers leading incumbents in both a City Council race and the contest for City Treasurer.

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Voters cast their ballots Tuesday in three City Council districts and the City Treasurer race.

According to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters, the results remain unofficial as additional eligible ballots may still need to be counted.

District 3: Christina Gordon leads Alberto Ruiz Jr.

Incumbent Christina Gordon is leading challenger Alberto Ruiz Jr. in the District 3 City Council race.

Gordon declared victory in a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon:

"We did it! I'm so eternally grateful for everyone who supported me, in ways big and small. Whether it was my Sunday sign-waving crew, the volunteers who knocked doors all over District 3, those of you who made donations, or planted signs or simply said, “What do you need?”, you are what made this campaign happen.

I set out to run a campaign led with integrity, focused on what matters to the people of Cathedral City. I think I’ve managed to do that, to have real conversations about the issues that are most pressing – our roads and infrastructure, community engagement, housing affordability and homelessness, and public safety. Because that’s what’s important. That’s why I’m doing this job. Not for ego or prestige. Because I want to make a difference where we all live.

And, my friends, my incredible Cathedral City family, at a time when politics has shown us the very worst in humanity, you – all of you – have shown the very best of what’s possible. You believed in my vision and got behind it. You threw yourselves into supporting me with joy and positivity and commitment to Cathedral City. You are what happens when community comes together to support a common cause.

To you, I simply say, thank you."

Gordon was appointed to the council in January following the death of longtime Councilmember Mark Carnevale.

Tuesday's election gives District 3 residents the opportunity to select their representative after Gordon initially joined the council through an appointment.

Ruiz is a retired Cathedral City police sergeant who spent more than three decades with the department.

Gordon planned to spend Election Night with supporters at Nick's Bistro at Date Palm Country Club.

District 4: Rick Saldivar leads incumbent Ernesto Gutierrez

Challenger Rick Saldivar is leading the three-candidate District 4 race, with incumbent Ernesto Gutierrez in second place and David Koslow in third.

Gutierrez has served on the Cathedral City Council since 2018.

Saldivar is a longtime Cathedral City resident, businessman and educator with experience in community organizations.

Koslow is a former constitutional law attorney who has also worked in healthcare administration and the arts.

If Saldivar's lead holds, District 4 could see a change in representation, unseating an incumbent who has served on the council for two terms.

The race remains undecided as the county continues processing ballots.

District 5: Antonio Baciu leads Danielle Mead

Antonio Baciu is leading Danielle Mead in Cathedral City's open District 5 race.

Incumbent Councilmember Raymond Gregory chose not to seek reelection, leaving the seat open for a new representative.

Both candidates have experience serving on city commissions.

Baciu serves as vice chair of the Parks and Community Events Commission and is a member of the Finance Advisory Committee. He also has a professional background in hospitality.

Mead chairs Cathedral City's Planning Commission and previously served on the city's Historic Preservation Committee.

Whoever ultimately wins will replace Gregory on the City Council.

City Treasurer: Shelley Kaplan leads incumbent Greg Jackson

Former Cathedral City Councilmember Shelley Kaplan is leading incumbent City Treasurer Greg Jackson.

Jackson has served as City Treasurer since 2022 and has a background in business administration.

Kaplan previously served on the Cathedral City Council from 2014 to 2018 and has held leadership positions with the Cathedral City Senior Center.

Kaplan planned to attend Christina Gordon's election-night gathering at Nick's Bistro.

If Kaplan's lead holds, Cathedral City would have a new City Treasurer.

Results remain unofficial

The Riverside County Registrar of Voters has reported results from all precincts, but that does not mean every ballot has been counted.

Additional eligible ballots, including vote-by-mail ballots, may still need to be processed before the results are certified.

The outcomes could change as counting continues.

News Channel 3 will continue following Cathedral City's City Council and Treasurer races as additional election results become available.