Former COD Superintendent/President Joel Kinnamon looks to return to COD in a different capacity

Chris Parman, communications/events manager for Cathedral, who is leaving his post at the end of May, announced in his farewell message to the city that his husband Joel Kinnamon “has decided to run for a public office this November that mirrors his professional experience.”

The couple sold their Palm Springs home, and as of Friday, April 15, they became residents of Rancho Mirage. Kinnamon has long said if he were to run, he’d most likely declare his candidacy in Trustee Area 4, which includes Rancho Mirage, most of Palm Desert and Indian Wells. The area is currently represented by Aurora Wilson. She has served on the board since 2013.

“I am planning to help in his endeavor that is all about helping the next generation to not only succeed, but like Cathedral City, flourish too,” Parman said.

Parman had told Uken Report that Kinnamon would make his decision before the academic year concludes May 27. Looks like that time has come. Candidate filing for board of trustee races typically opens during the summer.

During Kinnamon’s leadership tenure at COD, the college was s nominated for several of the country’s most prestigious community college awards, and it won a 2018 Bellwether Award for its instructional college transition program, EDGE.

Former state Assemblymember Brian Nestande reportedly also has eyes on Aurora Wilson’s seat, according to his supporters. Nestande, a Republican, served in the California Assembly from 2008 to 2014, representing the Coachella Valley. He subsequently served as deputy CEO of Riverside County.

The filing period for people to declare their candidacy for the Nov. 8 election will begin on July 18 and close on Aug. 12, according to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters,

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  • Joel Kinnamon: College of the Desert