Anyse Smith Seeks Palm Desert City Council Seat

Anyse Smith Launches Campaign to Represent City’s Third District with Weekend Campaign Kickoff Event.

PALM DESERT – Community leader, law professor, and attorney Anyse Smith officially announced her candidacy for Palm Desert City Council on Thursday.

With a commitment to community service and a proven track record of advocacy across the Coachella Valley, Smith brings a wealth of local experience to the race for the newly drawn district, according to her news release.

A seasoned community advocate, Smith has dedicated her career to improving the lives of residents in our community. Through her work with the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, Smith spearheaded and supported programs for affordable housing, mental health, and addiction services to support vulnerable populations. Her efforts have helped countless locals rebuild their lives and have led to widespread respect for Smith’s dedication, compassion and determination from leaders across the education, nonprofit, and government sectors.

“For the first time every resident in Palm Desert’s District 3 will now have the opportunity to elect someone from their own backyard. I couldn’t be more proud to announce my candidacy. Together, we’ll build an even stronger, more vibrant Palm Desert.” Smith said in a statement.

In addition to her advocacy work, Smith is a practicing attorney with a bachelor’s degree in international Affairs from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., a master’s in international law from the Paris Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi and a Juris Doctor from the California Desert Trial Academy College of Law in Indio.

Smith’s campaign kickoff will take place Saturday, April 6 at 11 a.m. at Freedom Park in Palm Desert.

Members of the public are welcome to attend and learn more about her vision for the future of Palm Desert.

Learn more about Anyse Smith and the upcoming election at www.anyseforpd.com.
Video available at anyseforpd.com/video.php

To date, Stephen Nelson has also announced his interest in seeking the seat.

The official nomination period opens July 15 and closes on August 9.

On January 25, 2024, the Palm Desert City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1406 establishing five single-member council districts. The incumbent council members will continue to serve and complete their existing terms.

The transition to single-member districts will commence with the General Municipal Election of November 5, 2024, for the election of three members of City Council representing Districts 1, 2, and 3. The transition will be complete following the November 2026 election for two members of City Council representing Districts 4 and 5. You can learn more about the redistricting process by visiting www.redistrictpd.org, including an interactive map where you can locate your district.