2024 Will Go Down as One of Most Intense Political Seasons Ever
COACHELLA VALLEY — Voting is underway bringing to an end to what many political leaders are calling one of the most intense political seasons ever. There was more drama in this little valley than in an episode of “Law and Order.”
It was filled with false accusations, death threats, calls for a mayor’s resignation, last-minute donations of nearly $1 million to a flailing Democratic candidate,
A Palm Springs City Councilmember was accused of not living in the district she represents. The District Attorney was notified and intervened. A former homeless woman who was incarcerated for stealing U.S. mail and more announced her candidacy for Palm Desert City Council.
An Indian Wells City Councilmember was ordered by the city manager not to interact with City Clerk Angelica Avila following a situation in which he allegedly attempted to get his paperwork for City Council processed.
A division in the Democratic Party was on full display as U.S. Congressman Raul Ruiz stepped in like never before to endorse local candidates. Most notably, he endorsed Frank Figueroa for mayor in Coachella. Figueroa is challenging incumbent Mayor Steven Hernandez who is Supervisor V. Manuel Perez’s chief of staff.
This political season pitted friends against one another and fractured longstanding relationships. Whether they are irretrievably broken remains to be seen.
These are all the drama-filled headlines that went public. But what about those that did not, like a moment at a Desert Hot Springs City Council meeting that got so heated, it looked like it would come to fisticuffs.
Councilmember Russell Betts, who is challenging Scott Matas for mayor, raised concerns about a $629,000 expenditure that was paid for without Council authorization or a public vote.
The question did not sit well with a quick-tempered Matas as you can see here:
“You better change you attitude real quick,” Matas said in a threatening tone.
Politics has always been a high-stakes game in this international tourist destination where millions of dollars are at stake. But what made this political season so volatile?
Former Indian Wells Mayor Rob Bernheimer told Uken Report that compared to a decade ago there is heightened acrimony in local races. My observation is that this didn’t happen overnight.
“This has been been building for a few election cycles. I think there are multiple causes as to why we’re seeing this in local political races. We all have seen the national political landscape devolve into partisan political mayhem. Not just the rhetoric but violence against congressional members (Scalise & Giffords) and now two assassination attempts against President Trump. I also believe term limits has created partisan pressure on local elections,” Bernheimer said. “With only 12 years to serve in the California Legislature, political parties are constantly looking for the next party candidate, and local office is the proving ground. While California Constitution Article II, Section 6 mandates that local offices like City Council & County Supervisor must be nonpartisan, in practice now the parties are grooming the candidates, and the lines have been blurred.
“I used to think California was different than east coast partisan politics in local government because of our Constitution,” Bernheimer continued. “Those differences have in many ways disappeared. Additionally, over the last decade City Council elections have been divided into districts rather than at-large elections. While this has been in response to the California Voting Rights Act and may prevent minority voter dilution, it also enables political parties to assist specific candidates get elected in a much smaller election arenas – 1/5 of a City rather than a city-wide campaign. When I ran for City Council for the first time in 2000, hiring political consultants for local races in the Coachella Valley was not common at all. Now, many City Council candidates hire political consultants. These are the same consultants that operate on a larger political scales and they bring the same tactics to local campaigns.”
Stan Henry
Former Cathedral City Mayor Stan Henry said, “Why do you think I’m not in politics!!!! There are always personal agendas as a reason people get into local politics and I think those agendas have gotten in the way of doing good for the communities. When those agendas clash you get the conflicts and attacks we are seeing now. We need to get back to working for the good of all and not just select groups. As you know there are some real nasty people out there and will do anything to slander someone to get an upper hand. You and I have experienced it in the past.”
Former Palm Desert Mayor Sabby Jonathan said he would add Coachella’s response to former President Donald Trump’s visit to the Coachella Valley as contributing to the nastiness of the political season.
U,S. Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz has announced his strong opposition to Donald Trump’s visit to Coachella on Saturday, Oct. 12 “It’s truly appalling – and yet another demonstration of his cluelessness and ignorance – that Donald Trump would stage a rally in Coachella,” Ruiz said in a statement at the time.
Sabby Jonathan
Beyond that, Jonathan said, “I don’t have the wisdom to understand why we are in this place. I can say that I find it disheartening. Fundamentally, it appears to me that we have allowed partisanship and personal ambition to worm their way into local governance, where they should have no place. I long for the days when elected officials worked together to achieve our common goals and to make the Coachella Valley better for everyone, without even a thought as to party affiliation. The optimist in me says we can get back to that place. But honestly, sometimes I wonder.”
Former Indian Wells Mayor Dick Oliphant said, “You pose very interesting questions. In all my years in politics, I have never seen the division that exists today. Some of my best friends are Trump haters to a degree I have a hard time believing. I think that has permeated down through all levels of politics. There is so much hate out there. So many friends I have I just don’t speak of politics around them. I am well-known as being a Republican leader.
(Photo courtesy of Richard R. Oliphant)
“I founded the Lincoln Club with President Ford,” Oliphant said. “I do not hide the fact I strongly support Donald Trump. I do not believe Kamalaa Harris is qualified to be our next President, but I don’t hate her. I don’t feel negatively toward someone who has a different opinion from me. That is their privilege, and I respect it. That is not what I am witnessing from other people. You either believe as they do, or you are the enemy. I am not sure how we cure this problem as it relates to former prejudices of black vs white, catholic vs protestant etc. I suspect time will heal the issue, but another issue will take its place.”
Vote!
