PALM SPRINGS —Carl A. Baker, director of Legal & Legislative Affairs for Desert AIDS Project, confirmed to Uken Report that he is withdrawing his name as a potential candidate in District 2.

“I have decided to withdraw due to lack of time,” Baker confirmed via text message. He is currently in D.C. for two weeks attending a public policy council for HIV/AIDS.

“It was a very difficult decision,” Baker added. “But I plan on staying super involved on the federal, state and local levels. Great meeting this morning on public policy on drug pricing on lifesaving drugs (Hep C, HIV, insulin, etc. )and whether private Pharm’s should partner with U.S. government to insulate price increases.”

Baker is a member of Palm Springs Sustainability Commission; President of ACLU Desert Chapter; and Board Member of Equality California

Baker, 57, was one of the first potential candidates to file a Candidate Intention Statement for the November election. It will be a historic election given that it is the first time Palm Springs voters select candidates from the newly drawn districts.

Remaining residents who have filed a Candidate Intention Statement in District 2 Peter J. Maietta, Adrian M. Alcantar, and Dennis Woods.

There is still a long time for others to jump in. The nomination period for this upcoming election is Monday, July 8, 2019 through Friday, August 9 , 2019. City Hall is closed on Fridays; however, the City Clerk’s Office will hold special office hours on August 9, 2019, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., for the sole purpose of nomination processing.

Voters in Districts 1, 2, and 3 will be eligible to vote in the November election. The newly drawn district map is available by clicking here.

The Candidate Intention Statement, better known as California Form 501, must be filed before residents can solicit or receive any contributions or before they make expenditures from personal funds on behalf of their candidacy.

The City Council voted 3-2 vote on Dec. 10, 2018 to approve a final five-district voting map in compliance with the California Voting Rights Act. Within a five-district Electoral process, the position of mayor will rotate among Council members and be appointed annually.