Ernesto Gutierrez Snags Second Term in Cat City

Voters give Ernesto Gutierrez four more years

CATHEDRAL CITY — With the police and fire unions working against him and respected leaders rescinding their endorsements, Ernesto Gutierrez soared to victory winning a second four-year term on the City Council.

He led his challengers on Election Day and maintained it, securing an easy victory when votes were certified on Thursday, Dec. 1.

“The Cathedral City Police Officer Association would like to thank all residents who supported us in our campaign this year,” President Jessse Borrego told Uken Report. “Our goal in this year’s election was to make our residents aware of shortcomings in our current mayor and his decision to ‘target’ low-income residents within our community that we feel do not have a voice.

“Unfortunately, our voice was not loud enough to be heard in district 4. During Mayor Gutierrez campaign, he showed his true colors in his social media posts and actions displayed by having our campaign signs removed or covered-up. It was even more apparent in last night’s City Council meeting when his friend Corwin Deveas, tried to shine the spotlight away from Ernesto and onto our Union. We will continue to work hard for our residents and look forward to upcoming community events we are planning for 2023!”

Gutierrez’s most staunch opponent, Rick Saldivar, whom the police and fire unions supported, said he called Gutierrez today, Friday, Dec. 2, to congratulate him. Saldivar said his call went to voicemail.

“We ran a stellar and ethical campaign and are very thankful to all who supported us,” Saldivar told Uken Report. “We are winners in spirits and have learned many things along the way that will get us across the finish line in four years. I love Cathedral City and will never stop serving our community.”

Saldivar said he will speak at an upcoming City Council meeting.

Uken Report has reached out to Gutierrez three times each by phone and text message. He did not respond to any of the six attempts.

When Gutierrez first ran for office in 2018, he finished first place in a field of four candidates. Today, four years later, he again finished first in a field of three to represent residents in District 4.

Following are the certified results:

• Ernesto Gutierrez, 1,087 votes, or 49.70%
• Rick Saldivar, 803 votes, or 36.72%
• David Koslow, 297 votes, or 13.58%

Less than half of eligible voters cast a ballot. Only 2,366 residents of an eligible 5,500 in District 4, or 43.02%, voted, according to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters.