No Opponents Emerge to Challenge COD Trustees Ruben Perez

PALM DESERT — Ruben Perez has been popular with his constituents since the first time he sought election to represent Area 1 on the College of the Desert Board of Trustees. This year is no different. He faces no opposition as he settles into a third term.

In 2018, Perez came in first place in a three-person field of candidates. He grabbed 47.5 percent of the vote, leaving his opponents with scraps. In 2022, he secured 58.42 percent of the vote, leaving his single opponent in his dust.

This year, he faces no opposition.

No one knows for sure why no opponent emerged, least of all Perez.

“I have no idea why I was unopposed,” he wrote in a text message that included an “lol.”

Is it popularity, or something more? Some say he is maturing in the role and there is still room for growth.

He has made mistakes and owns them. No one is harder on him than he is himself,

He has also demonstrated the ability to be a team player. College of the Desert’s accreditation was on the line as trustees as Trustees often argued with each other and shot death stares across the dais.

With some members gone after last the election cycle, Perez has looked to better role models and found his own way.

In June 2026, COD earned full reaffirmation of accreditation through 2031 from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). This followed a follow-up review focused on governance standards, which the college addressed through policy updates, governance training, and structural improvements. The reaffirmation confirms COD’s commitment to educational quality, institutional effectiveness, and continuous improvement, and is required for participation in federal financial aid programs.

Perez was part of that process.

In December, as Trustees were preparing for winter break, took the opportunity during his public comment allotment to thank everyone from a Dean to a student Trustee for their hard work and dedication,

He also congratulated Trustee Ron Oden on becoming Chair of the board.

“I’m looking forward to working with you in this new role,” Perez said. He also thanked Oden for the experience and leadership that he brings as a public servant.

While still seated, Perez dropped the Mother of all remarks.

“And thank you to Dr. (Joel) Kinnamon for his service as chair. Thank you for your leadership, especially during this whole accreditation process. I appreciate you. I’ve learned a lot from you, and I want to apologize to you publicly for the times I’ve ever offended you.”

There had been some bad blood between them since the 2022 election when Kinnamon helped finance Perez’s opponent’s campaign. They clashed on other issues, too.

It takes a big person to apologize and even bigger person to do it in public.

That man is Ruben Perez.