City Council Candidates for Indio, Palm Desert

City council slates in Indio and Palm Desert are now set with a mix of candidates who have knowledge, experience and institutional knowledge and those who come with a fresh perspective, new ideas and unbridled energy.

Let the campaigning commence.

Elaine Holmes has already scored a victory in her re-election bid to the Indio City Council in District 3. First elected in 2010, Holmes is unopposed as she prepares now to serve a third, four-year term. The lack of an opponent saves the slog of raising money and an arduous campaign.

Her City Council colleague Troy Strange in District 4 isn’t as fortunate. He has a single challenger. Oscar Ortiz, a political novice, is looking to unseat Strange for a four-year term on the City Council.

Wilson, who has served on the Indio City Council since 1995, is currently serving a one-year rotation as mayor.

Waymond Fermon, a political newcomer announced in January he was poised to give Wilson a formidable challenge in his re-election bid to the five-member City Council. As of 5 p.m. Friday, Fermon had not yet qualified as a candidate in District 2 pending verification of candidacy, according to City Clerk Sabdi Sanchez. His nomination is pending verification for candidacy.

Wilson, Holmes, Strange and Ortiz all filed an Oath of Fair Campaign Practices. Fermon has not.

The state Legislature adopted the Code of Fair Practices more than 20 years ago as part of its Elections Code. The purpose in creating the Code of Fair Campaign Practices is to give voters guidelines to determine fair play, honesty and decency to encourage qualified candidates to discuss issues instead of untruths or distortions.

You may read the entire pledge here.

All forms must be retained for public inspection until 30 days after the election. Every form signed by a candidate is a public record and open for inspection.

The November City Council election will mark the first time Indio residents have elected City Council representatives by districts. Indio, like Cathedral City, was forced into dividing the city into districts or face cost-prohibitive litigation. The current District Map was approved on a 4-1 vote with Lupe Ramos Watson dissenting.

In Palm Desert, voters will choose two candidates for a pair of open seats in at-large election.

Incumbents Sabby Jonathan, a CPA who is currently serving a rotation as mayor, and Jan Harnik, a businesswoman, are facing three challengers.

The trio of people looking to unseat the incumbents includes Matt Monica, a retired educator; Kenneth Doran, retired; and Carlos Pineda, whose ballot designation is still under review, according to the city clerk.

All five Palm Desert City Council hopefuls have signed the Code of Fair Campaign Practices.

 

 

 

 

 

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