Candidate forum hosted in Palm Desert with new districts up for election
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – “I definitely think it’s time for a new direction.”
That’s the sentiment some voters shared as Palm Desert City Council candidates took the stage Tuesday night.
The Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce (PDACC) hosted the candidate forum at the Family YMCA of the Desert at 43930 San Pablo Avenue. Admission was free and open to the public.
The City of Palm Desert began transitioning to a five district system with the 2024 election. The transition began with the 2024 general election, when seats were filled for Districts 1, 2, and 3 by Karina Moreno, Joe Pradetto, and Gina Nestande, respectively. Districts 4 and 5 are on the ballot this year.
Council districts in Palm Desert
As it stands, Mayor Evan Trubee and Jan Harnik serve as at-large members on the council. After the 2026 election, all sitting council members will have a district and re-districting will be complete.
The candidates include the following:
District 4 Jonathon Polly Evan Trubee (incumbent) District 5 John Greenwood Ralph PerryAt the forum, Mayor Trubee commented on the districting: “It has its pros and cons. 60% of the residents won’t be voting in the council race this year, so that’s a negative. On the positive side, it lowers the threshold a little bit for a candidate to run. You only have to reach … much fewer households.”
Both Greenwood and Perry, running in a district with no incumbents, were excited about being able to be the first.
“It’s exciting,” said Greenwood. “I hold my community dear. And being a lifelong resident, I look forward to the qualities that I have to offer and just continuing to, you know, why we all call Palm Desert home and preserving those, those things that we hold dear.”
“I was one of the proponents of the districts going to five districts way back a few years ago,” Perry added. “And now the process is being completed in 2026. I thought going to districts was better for representation for the Palm Desert residents.”
A substantial crowd of interested voters filled the seats on Tuesday, including residents Mark and Laura Freeman. They were particularly concerned with last December’s controversy, when newly-elected Joe Pradetto proposed to stop flying the pride banner at City Hall.
“I’d like to know where the new candidates stand on that sort of issue,” said Mark Freeman. “Whether they have a firm commitment to continue our beliefs that were well-established in the city or not.”
Many engaged in lively conversations with the candidates before each candidate sat down to answer a number of questions. Three of the four candidates were in attendance; Polly, running for a seat in District 4, was sick and unable to attend.
Each candidate introduced themselves before responding to a series of questions selected in advance from submissions received from members of the community.
All candidates were asked the same questions and provided equal time to respond. Topics focused on issues affecting Palm Desert residents, businesses and the future of the community, giving voters an opportunity to hear the candidates’ perspectives, priorities and approaches to serving on the City Council.
For Palm Desert residents: you can learn more about the redistricting process and find your electoral district by visiting this website.
As for what each candidate hoped to see in the future, their answers were similar. They each applauded the direction the city has been taken, and the path forward is to keep that momentum.
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