Chris Scott Motivated to Seek Council Seat by Paying Close Attention to City, Neighborhood Issues
PALM DESERT — Chris Scott, a 31-year-old self-employed Realtor, plans to challenge Karina Quintanilla for the District 1 seat on the City Council, giving voters a choice.
District 1 includes Civic Center Park and some surrounding areas along Fred Waring Drive and north of Highway 111. Click here to access the District Locator Interactive Map
He is the only one to date to launch a challenge to Quintanilla, who is currently serving a one-year rotation as mayor. He has filed a Candidate Intention Statement, Form 501, indicating his intent to run for Palm Desert City Council in the November 2024 Election.
“I’ve got the energy for it,” Scott told Uken Report.
He said he was approached by some “dear friends” to consider running. He started to pay closer attention to issues in his neighborhood.
“I started paying attention looking at policies and financial reports,” Scott said, “That’s what motivated me. I believe there are many incredible people who work in and serve the city of Palm Desert and our city, our communities are successful in many aspects,” Scott said. “As such, you will not hear me speak to ideas of radical change; this campaign is not that. Rather, our campaign is a charge to bring attention and resources to the core of what our communities are asking for: safer streets, strong businesses, and thriving neighborhoods. In doing so, I am committed to bringing back a sense of civility and effective collaboration to the City Council.”
This political arena, if you want to call it that, is a new arena for us, he said.
“I can tell you honestly that when I was presented with the idea of running for City Council in District 1, I laughed, and said, ‘No way!’ Still, I listened to the charge to pay more attention and when I learned more about challenges the city will face in the not-so-distant future, well, doing nothing no longer felt like an option to me. I believe Palm Desert is a very special place. We grew up calling the desert our bubble, protected by our mountains from the rest of the crazy world, and if you’re like me you agree that we are very fortunate for our quality of life here.”
As the City Council member for District 1, Scott said his sole focus will be on the core of what matters to the people of Palm Desert: safe streets, strong businesses, beautiful and well-maintained parks and community gathering spaces, the preservation of value of residents’ property and the preservation of quality of life.
“I am fortunate to come from a family with both parents in the home, both of whom were entrepreneurs and worked in their business my whole life,” Scott said. “Which naturally meant that outside of normal school hours, you could find my brother and I at any type of after-school program, sports league, or camp; most of the time that being the boys and girls club or a YMCA program, and I loved it. I took easily to any sport, activity or group lesson, and have always enjoyed collaborating with my peers.
As an adult, Scott said he’s been fortunate to work in his own businesses in the Real Estate industry for the better part of the past decade, utilizing his skills in consulting, sales, and management.
“My wife, Brieana, and I own and love our home in Palm Desert, and within the last two years have welcomed our son, Jett, into the world, and we hope we will be lucky enough to welcome another in the near future,” Scott said, “We were raised by this city, and as we dig our roots deeper, we are filled with pride and hope that our son and future children will have the same experience and even better opportunities growing up here in this city than we did.”
Scott is a native of the Coachella Valley.
Above photo courtesy of Chris Scott.
