Gloria Hernandez Seeks Indio City Council Seat

Gloria Hernandez Challenges Waymond Fermon to Represent District 2

INDIO — Gloria Hernandez, who has spent her entire professional career serving the City of Indio, is challenging Waymond Fermon for the seat he has held on the City Council since 2018.

Now she wants to see how local government works from the other side.

She has been endorsed by Councilmembers Glenn Miller and Ben Guitron.

As a mother of four and grandmother of eight, Gloria’s commitment to Indio is personal. She wants the city her grandchildren grow up in to be safe, thriving, and full of opportunity, according to her website.

Uken Report distributed identical questionnaires to both candidates simultaneously.

Fermon did not respond, Following are the responses from Hernandez.

UR: Why are you a better candidate than your opponent?

Gloria Hernandez: I bring 25 years of experience working for the City of Indio, so I understand how City government works from the inside and as a lifelong resident. During my career, I prepared staff reports, budgets, grants and recommendations that helped the City Council make decisions. I also served in leadership roles for two employee unions, including as president, which gave me experience listening to employees, negotiating and bringing people together to find solutions.

Outside of my professional career, I have served my community through my church as a Special Needs Sunday School teacher and as Chair of Kairos Outside Desert. I believe that combination of City experience, community involvement and understanding of the people who live and work here gives me a different perspective to bring to the Council.

UR: Would you ever approve a data center in Indio? Why or why not?

Gloria Hernandez: I would not make that decision without seeing the facts of the individual project. Every project that comes before the City should be evaluated on its own merits, including its location, infrastructure needs, water and energy impacts, compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods and businesses, economic benefits, and how it fits into Indio’s long-term plans.

Even when information is sensitive, the Council needs to have the information necessary to make an informed decision. For me, it is not simply a matter of saying yes or no to a particular type of development. I want to understand what the project would mean for Indio and its residents before making that decision.

We have different locations in the City where we can have different projects make a good fit. We are a diversified City with shopping, eating, festivals, schooling, colleges, sports centers, industrial, polo fields, so there is room for everything. I am open-minded and like to weigh the pros and cons, as well as getting community input. We can all make a difference and meet in the middle.

UR: What is your vision for the city?

Gloria Hernandez: My vision is for Indio to continue growing while making sure the people who already live here have opportunities to enjoy their community. I would like to see more activities for our youth and seniors during evenings and weekends, including, indoor sports and recreational activities to stay busy and active.

I also want to see responsible growth, safer roads, support for local businesses and a City government that listens to residents and brings practical solutions to the table.

UR: How much do you plan to spend on your campaign?

Gloria Hernandez: I plan to raise and spend the resources necessary to run a competitive campaign and effectively reach the voters of District 2. My campaign budget will continue to develop as we get closer to Election Day and as we determine what is needed for voter outreach, mail, signs, digital media, canvassing, and other campaign expenses.

I am grateful for the endorsements and goodwill the community has shown me and will continue to advocate to make sure we have an Indio that is prosperous.

UR: Who or what prompted you to run?

Gloria Hernandez: I had planned to run and was encouraged to run by people in the community, former coworkers, unions, and council members who believed I could bring a strong voice to City Hall.

After 25 years working for the City and being involved in the community, I felt that I had something to offer. I want to bring a fresh perspective to the Council, listen to residents and employees, and help bring people together around practical solutions for Indio.

UR: Is there a project unique to your district? What will you do about it?

Gloria Hernandez: One of the biggest issues in District 2 is transportation. The two bridges that serve the area can become major bottlenecks during peak hours, creating traffic problems for residents and businesses. I would continue working with the City and regional partners to identify funding and practical solutions for those transportation needs.

District 2 also needs more amenities and services that reflect a growing community. We have a lot of fast-food options, and I would like to see more sit-down restaurants and other businesses that give residents more choices and help keep people spending their money locally.

We also need better access to healthcare and public services, including urgent care options, a police presence in the area and eventually additional healthcare resources. I would also like to explore opportunities for educational and workforce programs, such as a regional occupational program or community college presence.

UR: What is the best quality about your opponent(s)?

Gloria Hernandez: One quality I recognize is that my opponent is visible in the community and makes an effort to show residents what he is doing. Being accessible and communicating with residents is an important part of serving in public office.

UR: Is it appropriate for members of the City Council to campaign against a fellow councilmember without really saying why? Why or why not?

Gloria Hernandez: I believe council members should have the ability to support who they would like to see move the city forward in a positive direction. The decision to support or not support their colleagues is up to them and it is important to respect their personal decisions.