Palm Springs Councilmember Ron deHarte has announced his intent to run for reelection this year to another four-year term.
Elected for the first time in 2022, deHarte has become a strong advocate for an elected mayor position, although he stressed in his announcement he would remain committed to his district. Currently, mayor is a position that rotates among the five council members, each of whom is elected in their own district.
“District 3 is where my work begins and ends,” deHarte said in the announcement. “I want to be clear that I am not running for Mayor. My focus remains on providing our residents with an experienced voice dedicated to the essentials: public safety, street maintenance, and local representation.”
With deHarte intent on returning, it’s possible that all three seats on the city council up for election could be retained by those already sitting in them. Both councilmembers Jeffrey Bernstein and Grace Garner have said they intend to run.
In his announcement, deHarte focused on his experience as a pragmatic leader who would steer the city away from “unfunded, overreaching projects.”
As the president and CEO of Greater Palm Springs Pride, deHarte is already responsible for managing the city’s annual Pride festivities.
“I’ve always believed that a thriving tourism economy isn’t just a business goal; it is the engine that allows us to fund social progress, protect our neighborhoods, and address challenges like homelessness with actual results,” he said in the announcement. “I’m committed to investing in tourism and the Palm Springs brand while seeking to diversify the local economy and streamlining city processes to help businesses thrive.”
District 3 includes a central area of Palm Springs between Vista Chino and Ramon Road.
The two other members of the council, Mayor Naomi Soto and David Ready, were elected in 2024, and their terms run through 2028.
Sam Morgen covers the city of Palm Springs for The Desert Sun. Reach him at smorgen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Ron deHarte announces bid for reelection to Palm Springs City Council
Reporting by Sam Morgen, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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