Fermon, Holmes Lose Support of Colleagues

At Least Two Councilmembers Support Opponents of Waymond Femon and Elaine Holmes

INDIO — The Indio Police Officers Association was first to come forward to endorse the opponents of City Council incumbents Waymond Fermon and Elaine Holmes. Now comes City Councilmembers Glenn Miller and Ben  Guitron.

“The city needs to be looking forward,” Guitron told Uken Report.” It’s time for a change.”

Miller told Uken Report that “A.J. and Gloria are just two very well-qualified (individuals) and have a skill set that will help bring the city of Indio to the next level.”

Holmes is currently mayor of Indio, the largest city in the Coachella Valley, and was first elected in 2010 with the highest number of votes in an at-large election.  She was re-elected in 2014, 2018 and 2022 and represents District 3 which is comprised of the Northeast and Southeast section of the city. Mayor Holmes served as Indio’s Mayor in 2013, 2017 and 2021.

Mayor Pro Tem Fermon was first elected in 2018, He made history as Indio’s first Black American mayor. He has helped lead the city through a period of tremendous growth.

In August 2026, the Indio POA Political Action Committee (PAC) announced endorsements for two Indio City Council candidates:

Gloria Hernandez – Endorsed for District 2, challenging incumbent Fermon. Hernandez brings 25 years of city service, experience in fiscal management, and a focus on public safety, neighborhood investment, and financial responsibility

Andrea “A.J.” Dolan Bouchard – Endorsed for District 3, challenging incumbent Holmes. Bouchard is an attorney and law professor with a background in public service, education, and community leadership, emphasizing public safety, strong neighborhoods, and responsible governance.

Miller, Guitron and the IPOA have nothing bad to say — at least publicly — about the incumbents. Thay simply focus on the attributes of the challengers.

Is one to infer that Holmes and Fermon do not have the skill set necessary to move the city into the future?

Holmes declined to comment.

As a 24-year law enforcement veteran, I support the men and women of the Indio Police Department.

“As an eight-year councilmember and former mayor, my record reflects my commitment to public safety,” Fermon told Uken Report. “That includes helping deliver Indio’s new Public Safety Campus, investing in police staffing, training, and equipment, defending the Indio Police Department against unsolicited attacks, and serving for six years as chair of the CVAG Public Safety Committee.”

Prior to their endorsement announcement, I corresponded with the Indio Police Officers Association (IPOA) and submitted its questionnaire. However, I received no further communication or opportunity to interview and learned through social media that the IPOA had endorsed another candidate, Fermon said.

“I respect the association’s right to make its endorsement. However, all candidates deserve a fair opportunity to be heard, and I did not receive one,” Fermon added.

“Since then, I have spoken with officers and community members who have expressed their disappointment with the process. Nevertheless, I will continue running a positive campaign and engaging directly with residents.

“I am grateful for the community support and endorsements I have received, including those from Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz, Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, Imperial Irrigation District Board Chairperson Karin Eugenio, and College of the Desert Board of Trustees Chair Ron Oden.

“In the end, I will continue to support the Indio Police Department because our community’s safety is what matters most.”

Indio 4 Change, a group of community members and retired residents, that serves as a community watchdog group dedicated to transparency and accountability in Indio city government, sent the following statement.

“The Indio POA PAC says its endorsements reflect a commitment to public safety. Voters deserve a transparent process behind that claim.

“Elaine Holmes and Waymond Fermon both have real records on public safety in this city. Elaine backed the new police department campus and has stood behind the K9 program that protects our officers. Waymond has served as a public safety officer for the State of California. Neither has been shown to have received the same process as the PAC’s chosen candidates.

“Gloria Hernandez’s own endorsement questionnaire is dated August 18, 2026, the same day the Indio POA PAC publicly announced her endorsement, and it already lists IPOA and the Police Command Unit Association among her top endorsements. That timing raises real questions about the process. Her application is also worth a full read on its own terms, including her answers on LGBTQ+ workplace equality and her decade of work with Kairos Prison Ministry.

A.J. Dolan Bouchard practices at Dolan Law Offices, a firm built by her father, John Patrick Dolan, around death penalty defense work, including the trial of the man convicted of murdering Palm Springs Officers Gil Vega and Lesley Zerebny. That is the firm the Indio POA PAC chose to endorse for Indio City Council.

Indio deserves a police union endorsement process that is transparent, fair, and actually about public safety, including a clear answer on who was interviewed, who was not, and who is funding and recruiting these campaigns.”