Coachella Valley Conservatives Hit Ground Running

President of Coachella Valley Conservatives wanted to bring Midwestern Values to Coachella Valley

Coachella Valley Conservatives took root in May 2020 on the La Quinta Nextdoor App, an app for neighborhoods where you can get local tips, buy and sell items, and more. Today, the group boasts 255 members who are part of the online forum.

It might be relatively new, but the group just announced a Sunday, Nov. 21 luncheon featuring two candidates: Pastor Brian Hawkins and Randy Economy. Hawkins, a member of the San Jacinto City Council, is challenging Democratic Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D., for the 36th Congressional seat.

Economy is seeking a seat on Board of Equalization representing District 4. Economy was the Senior Advisor and Official Media Spokesman for the Recall Gavin Newsom campaign.

The luncheon will be held at The Classic Club, 75-200 Classic Club Blvd., Palm Desert. Start time is 11:30 a.m.

We wanted to know a bit more about the Coachella Valley Conservatives, so we posed a series of questions to Kathryn J. Wickstrom, Vice-President. The questions and answers follow.

Uken Report (UR): Why did Coachella Valley Conservatives start?

Kathryn J. Wickstrom (KJW): Our president, Justin Luettjohann moved from Iowa and saw the lacking grassroots efforts in SoCal and figured it’s time to bring a little Midwestern values and work ethic to  the Valley.

UR: There is already an East Valley Republican Women Federated Group. How does you group differ?

KJW: (We are) non-partisan, open to anyone with conservative values, official PAC, focused on local issues and representatives rather than national. The name of the Women Federated groups possibly alienates a few who don’t  understand that men are allowed within their organization (as associates).

UR: What is its purpose? We are highly focused on local candidates at all levels: School board members, water district members, city council members, county supervisors, judges, state representatives and senators, and federal representatives. Additionally, we look forward to creating and/or sponsoring local events and fundraisers that will help citizens of our wonderful Coachella Valley – including children – to understand the patriotic nature of our cause.

UR: Who started it?

KJW: Justin Luettjohann

UR: Will you be endorsing candidates in upcoming elections?

KJW: No endorsements during the primary periods of candidacy.

UR: Who are the organization’s officers?

KJW: Justin Luettjohann, president; Kathryn Wickstrom, vice president; Briana Baleskie, treasurer/secretary (pending); Mike Smith, Sergeant at Arms; Tom Campagna, Director-At-Large; Raul Castro, Hispanic community organizer.

UR: Anything you would like to add?

KJW: (For more information, click here.)   Our Values (are): Limited Government, Rule of Law, Peace through Strength, Fiscal Responsibility, Free Markets, Human Dignity, Constitutional Adherence.