Wallis: Public Deserves Thorough Investigation

Assemblymember Wallis Says Public Deserves Thorough Investigation Before Jumping to Conclusions

PALM SPRINGS — Republican Assemblymember Greg Wallis was nothing but class when asked about allegations leveled against City Councilmember Christy Holstege claiming she does not own the home she claims as her primary residence in District 4. Holstege is challenging Wallis for the Assembly District 47 seat.

“Proper representation is a cornerstone of our Democracy,” Wallis told Uken Report. “The accusations against Councilmember Holstege are very concerning. The public deserves a thorough investigation to uncover the truth. Our justice system assumes innocence until proven guilty and we will decide how to proceed once more facts come to light.”

His comments came amidst others jumping to judgment calling her a “fraud.”

In a text message to Uken Report, Holstege said it is all “a misunderstanding.’

You may read the letter here: https://ukenreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-08-20-Letter-from-Hestrin-c1.pdf

The letter from District Attorney Michael Hestrin said his office has received “multiple requests to investigate a potential residency violation by Holstege, which may jeopardize the finality of any action taken by the Palm Springs City Council during the pendency of the violation.”

“The City needs to see the factual basis of the District Attorney’s conclusions,” Amy Blaisdell, Chief Communications Officer for the city, said. “The City Attorney will be requesting that the DA share that information so that the City can review it and determine how best proceed. The City Clerk’s office is reviewing the Council actions during the relevant period, to determine which votes involved a 3-2 vote in which Councilmember Holstege voted in the majority. When candidates turn in their candidate paperwork for election, they certify under penalty of perjury that they are qualified to hold office, which includes that they live in the appropriate district.  No city that we are aware of goes beyond that and actively monitors the residency requirement.

Holstege first won election in 2016. In December 2020, she was appointed to serve as Mayor for a one-year term by the City Council. She is the first woman to serve as mayor in the history of Palm Springs – and was also the first openly bisexual mayor in the country.

According to her biography on the city’s website, she and her husband, Adam Gilbert, live in the Sonora/Sunrise neighborhood in home that their family has resided in for more than 45 years.

Holstege is currently challenging Incumbent Assemblymember Greg Wallis, R-Bermuda Dunes, for a two-year term representing the 47th Assembly District, which includes Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Yucaipa, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Yucca Valley and parts of Redlands, Highland and San Jacinto.