Election 2026: Early numbers favor incumbent candidates in Desert Hot Springs

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Incumbent candidates and newcomers are competing for two City Council seats in Desert Hot Springs, with races underway in District 1 and 3.

In District 1, two-time council member Gary Gardner faces challenger Edouard Boumendil. Meanwhile, in District 3, incumbent Jan Pye is running against challenger Joseph “Joe” Erndt.

UPDATE: Early Numbers Show Jan Pye leading the race against Joe Erndt and Gary Gardner leading the race against Edward Boumendil.

District 1

Gary Gardner was first elected to the Desert Hot Springs City Council in 2018 and is seeking a third term in District one.

Prior to serving on the council, Gardner worked in public policy and consulting in Washington, D.C., and Arizona. He also served on the city's Planning Commission and chaired the Human Rights Committee.

Edouard Boumendil, who is campaigning for his first term on the council, grew up in France and became a resident of Desert Hot Springs in 2021.

He works as an engineer and formerly worked for General Motors, where he spent time working on autonomous vehicle engineering.

District 3

Pye brings more than two decades of municipal experience to her re-election campaign, having served Desert Hot Springs since 1999. Her background includes previous roles as a council member, planning commissioner and civic leader.

Joseph “Joe” Erndt is running for City Council for the first time against Pye in District three.

An operations manager with experience in hospitality, construction management and budgeting, Erndt leads the “DHS 2040” research project to engage residents in long-term planning and economic diversification.

For updates as they come, stay with News Channel 3 or go here to track local, state and national races.