Chris Scott Challenges Karina Quintanilla in Palm Desert

Chris Scott Was Motivated to Run by Community

PALM DESERT — Chris Scott, a local realtor, is making a run for the seat Karina Quintanilla holds in District 1. The District includes Civic Center Park and some adjacent areas along Fred Waring Drive and north of Highway 111.

This year marks the first Palm Desert City Council with five districts. The Council finished the redistricting process earlier this year, Traditionally, Council members were elected at large.

The switch from two to five council districts was initiated by the council in June 2023 following a 2 in which about 53% of local voters supported the move.

This year’s election includes races in Districts 1, 2 and 3, Elections for Districts 4 and 5 will be held in 2026. Residents can find their district by visiting redistrictpd.org.

This year’s race includes current embattled Mayor Karina Quintanilla and local Realtor Chris Scott.

Quintanilla was first elected in 2020 after she and another person filed a lawsuit against the city that led to the two-district setup.

Uken Report submitted candidate questionnaires to both candidates. Quintanilla did not respond.

Following are Scott’s responses:

UR: Age & Occupation:

Chris Scott: 31 years old, Small Business Owner

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

Chris Scott: When I was approached by members of the community, distressed over the need for better representation for District 1, my family and I took that seriously. I am running because I believe our leaders must represent Palm Desert with civility, respect, and common sense

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

Chris Scott: Palm Desert has been home my entire life. My wife and I grew up in District 1. We are raising our son here with another due in January.

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

Chris Scott: Foremost, my goal is to restore civility to the City Council. We must work together to better our city for all residents. I will restore Palm Desert’s long-standing precedence of being business friendly and supportive of all businesses in Palm Desert.

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

Chris Scott: The fundamental difference between myself and my opponent is my commitment to solving problems, not creating problems. Our elected officials took an oath to serve the interests of the residents of Palm Desert, and not govern based on partisan beliefs. Palm Desert has something for everyone. I have earned the endorsements of current and former members of the city council, local business leaders, and community leaders because they have come to know me, and what I represent: safe streets, strong businesses, thriving neighborhoods.

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

Chris Scott: I come from a family that has experienced loss, and growth, and I was raised to put service above self. This philosophy has dictated how I do business, and now with a family of our own, my wife and I are committed to service to our community. I am a team player. Our elected officials must be team players in order to effectively represent the interests of the community.

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

Chris Scott: As a business owner, husband, and father I am no stranger to conflict. Ultimately, the only way to resolve conflict is by first establishing common ground, and creating a space where each party is heard. Effective communication leads to efficient collaboration. In my business, I am constantly working with multiple parties, each with their own set of goals and standards, and it is my job to create an environment that supports the ultimate goal. Listening and creating common ground are how we move beyond conflict.

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

Chris Scott: Palm Desert has been home my entire life. I see Palm Desert as the diamond of the desert, and I will continue the efforts to ensure Palm Desert continues to be a leader in the region. Growing our college, university, and an educated workforce, and the CV Link are examples of how Palm Desert is working to support an even brighter future for our residents. With nearly 6,000 new homes and estimated 15,000+ new residents in the north part of Palm Desert alone, we must continue to make responsible and smart investments to support this incredible growth. I will continue towards that goal.