Juan Martinez Seeks 4-year Term in Coachella

Juan Martinez Was Only 1 of 5 Candidates to Participate in Uken Report’s Candidate Questionnaire

COACHELLA — Juan Martinez is no stranger to the innerworkings of government here and he wants to get even more familiar with local government— and the issues — by being elected to a four-year term on Nov. 3.

Juan Martinez, 49, was unanimously appointed on June 5, to serve the remainder of Frank Figueroa’s term on the Coachella City Council after Figueroa became mayor following Mayor Steve Hernandez’s resignation. Martinez, a real estate broker based in Bermuda Dunes, had prepared his paperwork to run for the November seat well before the vacancy was advertised. He was sworn in immediately by City Clerk Angela M. Zepeda and got to work.

Following is series of questions Uken Report posed to all candidates running for City Council. Martinez was the only one to respond.

Uken Report (UR): Why are you a better candidate than your opponent(s)?

Juan Martinez: I don’t like to say I’m “better” than anyone. What makes me the right choice is that I offer steady, drama-free governance and a commitment to represent every corner of our city and the difference comes down to promises versus delivery. The other candidates are asking for an opportunity to learn the job; I’m already sitting on the dais delivering for you. Since June, I’ve worked together with our city staff and voted to advance critical infrastructure like the Avenue 50 bridge. A vote for me isn’t a gamble on what might happen, it’s an investment in proven momentum that keeps Coachella moving forward today.

UR: What is your vision for the city?

Juan Martinez: My vision for Coachella is a city where people genuinely want to live, retire, and invest. First, it means smart, balanced growth. We need economic development that brings quality jobs and expands our tax base, but every major project must come with real community benefits, meaning local hire agreements, shade and green spaces, and neighborhood improvements.

Second, it means a city that cares for every single resident right here at home. In Coachella, we have many hardworking families who, because of their immigration status, cannot travel freely outside the region. My vision is an inclusive city where they don’t have to leave to find joy, recreation, and culture. We need world-class amenities, vibrant gathering places, safe walking corridors, and local entertainment that our families can enjoy right in their own backyard. We don’t need residents looking elsewhere for quality of life. We will build it right here in Coachella.

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

Juan Martinez: I’m running a responsible campaign based on what we can raise and what we need. I understand every contribution and expenditure is public, and I’m comfortable with that transparency, but my real investment isn’t dollars; it’s shoe leather. You can’t substitute knocking on doors, looking neighbors in the eye, and hearing their concerns with a high-priced campaign.

UR: Who or what prompted you to run?

Juan Martinez: Coachella did. This community helped shape who I am. I have built my career here, working with families here and watched the city grow. At some point I realized that instead of Simply talking about what Coachella could become, I wanted to take responsibility and help do the work.

UR: Is there a project unique to your district?

Juan Martinez: Coachella doesn’t elect council members by district. We serve at large, meaning every single one of us is accountable to every neighborhood and every family across our city. Because our responsibility is citywide, my priority is delivering major infrastructure that connects our entire community. A clear example of that right after I joined the Council in June, I was proud to vote to approve Phase 1 of the Avenue 50 bridge project on September 21, 2026

For years, residents have dealt with traffic bottlenecks, detour delays, and safety concerns across the channel. Moving that project forward isn’t just about one roadway, it’s about regional connectivity, faster emergency response times, and unlocking smart economic growth for all of Coachella. That’s the kind of practical, citywide leadership I bring to the dais every single day.

UR: What will you do about it?

UR: Have you met with the City Manager yet? Why or why not? Did he provide any words of wisdom or advice? Care to share?

Juan Martinez: Yes, absolutely. In fact, City Manager and I both stepped into our roles at Coachella City Hall right around the same time this past June. Because we both came in during a critical period of transition, our dynamic from day one has been focused on hitting the ground running. His role isn’t to give political advice, and I respect that line but through our professional work together, the most valuable lesson has been the importance of clear direction and operational stability.  When Council provides steady, unified policy direction, it frees our City Manager and department heads to do what they do best: secure grant funding, speed up infrastructure projects, and support our municipal workforce. We’ve built a productive, professional rhythm over these past few months, and that continuity is exactly what Coachella needs to keep moving forward without missing a beat.

UR: What have you learned about running for public office that you did not before?

Juan Martinez: How personal it is. When you knock on doors or walk through our parks and neighborhoods, people don’t necessarily want a politician, they want someone who will listen. I have also learned that you will never make everyone happy, but you can always be prepared, respectful and honest about why you decide.

UR: Residents have said that in the past they have not been heard. What will you do. if anything, to correct that?

Juan Martinez: Show up. Not just during election season. I have been walking around our communities and parks, talking directly with residents and listening to what they see every day. I want City Hall to communicate in both English and Spanish, make information easier to understand, and create more opportunities for residents to speak with us before decisions are made.

UR: If you had been on the City Council. would you have voted for the Data Center? Why or why?

Juan Martinez: No. Based on the information I have reviewed, I would not have supported moving the data center forward. For a project of that magnitude, I would have wanted much more public discussion and clear answers about energy, water, environmental impacts, infrastructure and the long-term benefit to Coachella residents. Economic development matters, but not every development is right for our city.

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

Juan Martinez: Coachella is a community where everyone knows everyone, and all my opponents are deeply woven into that fabric. I respect how deeply connected they are to our community whether it’s seeing them at local youth sports, community fundraisers, or neighborhood events over the years. You can’t fake care about this city, and I know their love for our people is real.