Anyse Smith Makes Bid for Palm Desert District 3

Anyse Smith Among Three Candidates Seeking District 3 Seat

PALM DESERT — Anyse Smith, Stephen Nelson and Gina Nestande are all vying for the District 3 seat in the Nov. 5 election.

Uken Report sent all candidates a questionnaire. Participation was voluntary. Only Nestande in District 3 declined to participate. Following are Smith’s responses.

UR: Age and occupation

Anyse Smith: I am 38 years old. Currently, I am a Staff Attorney for Starting Over, Inc., a nonprofit housing
provider and legal aid organization. I am also a law professor at the California Desert Trial
Academy, our local law school located in Indio.

UR: Who or what motivated you to run for the City Council?

Anyse Smith: As a long-time resident of Palm Desert, my decision to run for City Council is driven by both my personal experiences and my commitment to keeping our city a vibrant place to live, work, and learn. Having personally faced housing insecurity, I have a deep understanding of the challenges many in our community experience. This insight fuels my passion to advocate for services and policies that address the diverse needs of all residents.

Palm Desert is at a pivotal moment, especially with recent redistricting that has created opportunities for more voices to contribute to shaping our future. I am running to be a voice and advocate for our community, ensuring that our city makes thoughtful, strategic decisions that not only benefit us today but also secure a bright future for generations to come.

UR: How long have you lived in Palm Desert full-time?

Anyse Smith: I became a proud Palm Desert resident in 2014. Since then, I have had the opportunity to live in various parts of Palm Desert, including unincorporated areas.

UR: What is your No. 1 priority for the city?

Anyse Smith: The top priority I plan to focus on is ensuring that we plan for the expected growth in population and development in this new district. We must strategically plan for and build out infrastructure, ensuring that residents have the resources they need to thrive. North Palm Desert is the site of the most expected new housing developments in the city, with an expected 4,500 additional
housing units currently in development over the next 10 years. As a result, the population of District 3 is expected to nearly double. It is critical that the city has a plan to support our growing population and ensure that our new neighbors have access to the quality services and accessible amenities that we expect in the City of Palm Desert.

UR: What makes you a better candidate than your opponents?

Anyse Smith: I bring a unique set of experiences to this race that I believe makes me the most qualified candidate to represent the diverse needs of our community. As a public interest attorney, I’ve worked within the judicial system to expand access to justice for individuals who face financial barriers, ensuring they have the support they need to advocate for themselves. I have years of experience advocating and working on behalf of others. Also, I have firsthand experience overcoming housing insecurity. I am a proud graduate of the Gateway program at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission (CVRM). I have worked in this community for the past decade helping individuals and families navigate challenges and supporting their recovery and success. My work has involved collaborating with local, county, and state officials on housing policy and regional initiatives. I currently sit on the Board of Governance for the Riverside County Continuum of Care. Additionally, I serve on the boards of several nonprofits, which has afforded me a wide perspective on the needs of our community.

I have a demonstrated track record of leadership and collaborative capacity-building right here in the Coachella Valley. I am the only candidate in this race who has managed programs at nonprofits such as CVRM and regional governmental agencies such as Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG).

Leadership experience matters, community involvement matters, and a proven track record of getting results matters. These are exactly the skills that I will bring to the Palm Desert City Council.

Lastly, I am honored to have received the support of over 40 organizations, elected officials, and community leaders, including Dr. Edwin Gomez, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Ross, City of Cathedral City, Mayor Pro Tem Jan Pye, City of Desert Hot Springs, and Mayor Pro Tem Stephanie Virgen, City of Coachella.

UR: Do you see yourself as a team player or an individual who will fight for your opinion? Why?

Anyse Smith: To be effective on the City Council it’s crucial to collaborate and build consensus with fellow council members. I am running to be a voice and advocate not just for North Palm Desert, but for all of our city’s residents. My goal is to champion the priorities of the community, ensuring they are at the forefront of our decisions. While I will always stand firm for what’s best for Palm
Desert, I believe that the best outcomes come from working together.

Civility, professionalism, and ethical conduct are fundamental values I will bring to every discussion, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to do the best job we can for Palm Desert residents.

UR: How do you deal with conflict? Give us an example.

Anyse Smith: Conflict is a natural part of human interaction, but differing opinions should never lead to division, especially among colleagues on the City Council. The key is listening carefully, finding common ground, and working toward shared goals. For example, in my career as a litigator, I navigate an inherently adversarial system daily. However, under our professional rules, we must conduct ourselves with professionalism, civility, and ethical conduct. These principles are just as important in public service, where differing viewpoints should strengthen, not weaken, our collective efforts to serve the community.

UR: Does Palm Desert need to change the way it’s been doing business? Change its image?
If so, in what way?

Anyse Smith: It’s important for Palm Desert to adapt to the evolving needs of its residents, especially as our population grows. Ensuring that we remain responsive to these changes means focusing on transparency, accessibility, and community engagement. By fostering a stronger connection between local government and residents, we can build on the city’s successes while also addressing new challenges. Palm Desert has a strong foundation, but to build on our successes, we must modernize how we engage with the community, ensuring that every voice is heard