Rita Lamb Faces Opposition; Nancy Ross Unchallenged
CATHEDRAL CITY — Rita Lamb, first elected on Aug. 27, 2019, during a Special Election after the passing of Mayor Gregory S. Pettis and re-elected to a four-year term in November, 2020, faces two challengers in the Nov. 5 election.
Lamb is the first district representative for District 1, which includes the neighborhoods of the Cathedral City Cove, portions of Cathedral Canyon Country Club, business districts west of Cathedral Canyon, western section of the Whitewater neighborhood that includes the Boys and Girls Club located on Whispering Trail , Cimarron Cove, the Cathedral Palms Senior Living on Landau, and the western portion of the Downtown Arts and Entertainment District.
When Lamb announced her intention to seek re-election, she told Uken Report, “I have had a blast. I pinch myself because I can’t believe I get to do this at this point in my life. It’s spectacular.”
Nancy Ross, who represents District 2, is unchallenged in her bid for reelection. Her name will still appear on the ballot.
Michael Hayes
Michael Hayes, 62, a 20-year resident of Cathedral City who identifies himself as a retired businessman, has qualified as a candidate to run against Lamb. Hayes told Uken Report that he is openly gay, and that the late Mayor Pettis was a role model.
Hayes said he is a point in his life where it “just feels right” to run for a seat on the City Council.”I am compassionate and super excited.”
The other person who qualified to run for the seat is Mark Scharaga. He could not immediately be reached for comment.
According to his LinkedIn profile, he is a chef in Los Angeles.
Alan Carvalho, a Cathedral City resident, was instrumental in helping Scharaga secure signatures in the community. Carvalho invited residents on social media to contact him to help secure signatures for Scharaga.
Alan Carvalho’s offer to help Sharaga get signatures.
But why?
Carvalho did not return two requests for comment.
Carvalho ran against Lamb in a contentious race in November 2020 and lost. He never got over it, friends say.
Scharaga’s signatures may be legitimate, according to the city clerk, but is his candidacy?
Image Sources
- Rita Lamb: City of Cathedral City
