CATHEDRAL CITY — Shelley Kaplan, a respected statesman in this community, has attracted a motherlode of endorsements in his bid for the District 1 seat.

Kaplan’s list of endorsements includes local, state, and federal officials as well as a City Council colleagues and residents. The list is rich with diversity, a hallmark of Cathedral City’s culture.

Rita Lamb, a well-liked retired Elementary School Administrator with Desert Sands and Coachella Valley Unified School districts, is challenging Kaplan for the seat in the special August election.

Uken Report reached out to both Lamb and her press liaison, Miriam Alario, for Lamb’s list of endorsements. Neither Lamb nor Alario responded — yet.

Kaplan’s campaign logo is, “A person is known by the company he keeps.”

Kaplan Attracts Motherlode of Endorsements

Shelley Kaplan

To that end, Kaplan said, “I am very pleased to share those who have endorsed me for my candidacy for Cathedral City Council representative for District One.”

The motherlode of endorsements includes:

  • Congressman Raul Ruiz
  • Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia – “He will be a great asset to the city as he has been before and I look forward to working with him again – he as a councilmember and myself at the State Capital.”
  • County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez – “I have seen the incredible commitment Shelley has to Cathedral City and the Coachella Valley. His dedication and vision for the city are exactly the qualities the voters should support. I wholeheartedly endorse Shelley Kaplan for Cathedral City Council.”
  • The Desert Stonewall Democrats
  • Democratic Women of the Desert
  • The Cathedral City Gay Business Association
  • The Cathedral City Police Officer Association
  • The Cathedral City Firefighters Association – “Mr. Kaplan has been dedicated to public safety and has the experience to help the city move forward toward the future. Please join us in helping Mr. Kaplan get elected.”
  • Riverside County Democratic Party
  • Inland Empire Labor Council, AFL-CIO, San Bernardino/Riverside Counties and the Committee of Political Education (COPE)
  • Recommended for Endorsement by the endorsement committee of the Democrats of the Desert

Some of the City Council Members from Coachella Valley cities who have endorsed Kaplan are:

  • Ray Gregory – Cathedral City
  • Geoff Kors – Palm Springs
  • Christie Holstege – Palm Springs
  • Lisa Middleton – Palm Springs
  • Russell Betts – Desert Hot Springs
  • Charlie Townsand – Rancho Mirage
  • Sabby Jonathan – Palm Desert
  • Dana Reed – Indian Wells
  • Waymond Fermon – Indio
  • Megan Beaman Jacinto – Coachella

Some of the local residents who have endorsed Kaplan are:

  • Sergio Espericueta
  • Josie Diaz
  • Art Gregoire/Terry Nelson
  • Chip Yarborough/Michael Ramos
  • Thomi Clinton
  • Lynne O’Neill
  • Dan Bowe
  • Nancy Ross
  • Sue Townsley
  • Lewis Stewart
  • John Rivera Mendoza
  • Geoffrey Zamboni/ Alfred Neil
  • Valerie Schecter
  • John and Antonio Baciu
  • Tim Parrott
  • Dirk Tacke

“I think it is important to understand that I spent the last four years building positive relationships across the valley that gives me an opportunity to better collaborate with colleagues and to help make the case for changes that are in the best interest of Cathedral City and its residents,” Kaplan told Uken Report explaining the motherlode of endorsements.

On Aug. 27, 2019, the city of Cathedral City will conduct an election for the purpose of electing one member to the City Council to fill a vacant seat in District One.  This term will expire once the November 2020 Election Results have been certified by the Registrar of Voters Office and accepted by the City Council.  This special election is a vote by mail only.  There will be no polling places on election day.

The Riverside County Registrar of Voters will conduct this election for the city and all ballots will be mailed, received and counted by their office.

Between July 29, 2019 and August 17, 2019, the Registrar of Voters Office shall mail to all qualified voters an official ballot, instructions for voting, and pamphlets with all necessary materials for voting by mail.

 

 

Image Sources

  • Shelley Kaplan: City of Cathedral City
  • Hello, I’m Endorsed: Shutterstock