Sanchez Changes Mind, Will Not Seek Election

PALM SPRINGS — Two weeks after Chantal L. Sanchez filed a Candidate Intention Statement to seek election in District 2, she has changed her mind and told Uken Report she will not run.

Hours after her intention went public, Sanchez, a real estate agent with Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty, told Uken Report, “I do not think I will be able to continue my pursuit in (sic) City Council this time around.”

No harm, no foul.

It does not happen often but it does happen. Residents will flirt with the idea then realize it’s not a good fit for whatever reason. It happened in the 2018 Rancho Mirage City Council election. At least one candidate did not follow through with his original intention.

“I’m a busy working mom of three and a wife and I’m new to Palm Springs,” Sanchez told Uken Report. “My intention was to promote the city internationally and bring in more families and businesses to my district but I need a full-time campaign manager to help, which I can’t afford at the moment.”

The departure of Sanchez still leaves at least a trio of residents who want the seat. They are: Adrian M. Alcantar, 36, owner of Adrian Alcantar Hair Studio & Spa; Peter J. Maietta, 51, an interior designer; Carlton (Carl) A. Baker, 57, director of Legal & Legislative Affairs for Desert AIDS Project.

There is still plenty of time for others to join the race.

The official nomination period for the Nov. 5 election is Monday, July 15, 2019 through Monday, August 12, 2019.

If you or someone you know has an interest in seeking one of the three open seats, here are the candidate qualifications for elected office:

• Be registered to vote at their current residence in the City of Palm Springs.
• Must reside in the district in which they are running.
• Obtain not less than 80 nor more than 120 voter signatures on the Nomination Paper.
• A citizen of the United States.
• Not disqualified from holding office by the Constitution or laws of the State of California.

Contact the City Clerk’s Office at (760) 323-8204 to schedule an appointment for the issuance of nomination papers and the candidate manual. Regular business hours are 8 a.m. to 6  p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Voters in Districts 1, 2, and 3 will be eligible to vote in the November election. The newly drawn district map is available by clicking here.

If you are not yet a registered voter, you may register by clicking here.