Democrats of the Desert Rescind Endorsement

Democrats of the Desert Rescind Endorsement of Chauncey Thomas

Just days after announcing their official support of Chauncey Thomas for Desert Health Care District, Zone 6, Democrats of the Desert rescinded their endorsement. Zone 6 covers Indio and Coachella.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Democrats of the Desert withdraws its endorsement of Chauncey Thomas for Desert Health Care District, Zone 6. The DOD’s position on that election is changed to “No Endorsement,” Democrats of the Desert announced in an email.

The abrupt announcement left recipients slack-jawed and asking why.

“We were forced to withdraw the endorsement because, while Chauncey is now a registered Democrat, he was registered as a “no Party Preference” on Sept. 24, 2022, the date on which we endorsed him,” Stephen Jaffe, president of Democrats of the Desert told Uken Report.  “I personally support him and disagree with how this was handled by the (Riverside County Democratic Party.”)

Thomas has the endorsement of Dr. Les Zendle, an 11-year volunteer physician, former medical director, and board member for Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine. He has been a director of the Desert Healthcare District since 2016, serving as president in 2018 and 2019.

“Over the next few years, the Desert Healthcare District will begin to navigate a new Hospital Lease and Seismic Retrofitting for Desert Regional Hospital,” Thomas wrote on his Facebook page. “This requires diligence, understanding, and financial acuity to secure the best contract for Valley residents. Additionally, we must be prepared to support our community’s valley-wide with Behavioral and Mental Health needs.”

The Desert Healthcare District consists of seven zones covering the Coachella Valley. Each zone is represented by a Director on the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation Board. On December 21, 2021, the Board voted and approved the “Hummingbird” map (linked here), completing a public process that began in the fall 2021 to redraw the District to reflect population changes based on the 2020 U.S. Census.