Steve Sanchez Eyes RivCo Board of Supervisors Seat

Steve Sanchez to Run for Board of Supervisors

LA QUINTA — Steve Sanchez, who cut his political eyeteeth serving on the La Quinta City Council since 2016, is prepared for a bigger political stage, He confirmed Wednesday, Oct. 28, that he will seek the sprawling Fourth District seat on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors now held by Supervisor V. Manuel Perez.

Perez, who was unopposed in the last election, is seeking reelection in 2026. “Supervisor Perez has an unmatched record of delivering results for the communities of Riverside County’s Fourth District. He’s proudly running for re-election and looking forward to the campaign ahead,” Derek Humphrey, a spokesperson for the Perez campaign, told Uken Report.

Sanchez’s announcement will come as little surprise to those watching him in recent weeks and months. In early September, he spoke out vehemently against Proposition 50. 

Also in September, he announced the creation of the Coachella Valley Veteran Coalition (CVVC). He also spoke out about what the collapse of the Palo Verde Healthcare District (PVHD), which operates the Palo Verde Hospital in Blythe, could mean to Coachella Valley hospitals and healthcare agencies.

He has never hidden his desire for higher office. In 2021, he formally announced his bid for the Coachella Valley’s state Senate seat to represent California’s 28th Senate District, a seat that was held by Republican Sen. Melissa Melendez, who wasn’t able to run for reelection due to term limits. At that time, No sooner had he announced than the 28th Senate District was set to be in the new 19th Senate District under the new maps. It meant that Melendez (R-Lake Elsinore) could remain serving in her seat for two more years. Former Palm Springs City Councilmember had also declared she was going to run for the seat but later withdrew.

Sanchez, 48, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, said he has built his public life on service and results, pledged to restore integrity, accountability, and common sense to county government.

“It is time to bring county government back to the people,” Sanchez said. “Our communities deserve leaders who listen, act, and deliver results without excuses. After serving my country, I have spent the last decade serving this district. I am ready to keep fighting for it.”

Sanchez, who works as a commercial real estate agent, has served three terms on the La Quinta City Council, including as Mayor Pro Tem. He represents the city on several regional agencies crucial to the district’s future including the Riverside County LAFCO, the Airport Land Use Commission, SCAG, the League of California Cities Public Safety Committee, and the Coachella Valley Animal Campus Commission.

“From day one, I am ready to do the job,” Sanchez said. “I already represent this district on commissions that oversee transportation, housing, land use, public safety, and animal services. These are the same core responsibilities of the county. I have been doing the work, building partnerships, and delivering for years. Now I am ready to put that experience to work for every resident of the Fourth District.”

Sanchez’s priorities focus on the fundamentals that make communities stronger: safer streets, better infrastructure, expanded healthcare access through the Desert Healthcare District, homelessness solutions in partnership with CVAG’s Housing First Program, and more recreational opportunities through the Desert Recreation District. He also champions trade schools and workforce training, particularly in aviation and advanced technical fields, partnering with Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport to attract aviation programs that prepare residents for well-paying careers in maintenance, engineering, and aerospace technology.

“As air travel and aerospace continue to expand, we have an opportunity to bring high-paying careers right here to this district,” Sanchez said. “By investing in aviation education and workforce training, we can make sure our residents are first in line for those jobs.”

As a councilman, Sanchez has helped lead regional efforts to improve energy reliability, addressing grid shortages that have slowed development and job creation. His approach focuses on practical planning, private sector innovation, and responsible investment to support long-term growth.

“Government needs to get back to basics,” Sanchez said. “County government should stay focused on public safety, infrastructure, health, and housing, not political games. When the Chief of Staff and senior advisor to the current County Supervisor is arrested for alleged corruption, it raises serious concerns about judgment and accountability. This district deserves leadership that puts the people first. I will always stand firmly against corruption in any form and restore honesty and transparency to the Supervisor’s office.”

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sanchez carries forward the discipline, loyalty, and commitment that shaped his life.

“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge,” he said. “I will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of the Fourth District every step of the way.”

The Fourth District, which spans from our desert communities to the Colorado River, includes the cities of Blythe, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage. The Fourth District includes the communities of Bermuda Dunes, Cahuilla Hills, Carver Tract, Chiriaco Summit, Colorado River Communities, Desert Center/Lake Tamarisk, Desert Edge, Desert Palms, Eagle Mountain, Fern Valley, Garner Valley, Garnet, Idyllwild, Indio Hills, Mecca, Mesa Verde, Mountain Center, North Palm Springs, North Shore, Oasis, Pine Cove, Pinyon Pines, Ripley, Sky Valley, Snow Creek, Thermal, Thousand Palms, Vista Santa Rosa, Whitewater and Windy Point.

Click HERE to view a map of the Fourth District.

For more information about Steve Sanchez and his campaign for Riverside County Supervisor, Fourth District, please visit SteveSanchezCA.com.