Meet our Future Second Family A selfie of Tim Walz and his family on the way to Philadelphia on Tuesday, taken by his daughter Hope. From high school halls to Capitol Hill and the Minnesota governor’s mansion, Nebraska native Tim Walz has been weaving a political path tinged with schoolteacher sensibilities since 2006 – and...
Meet Dr. Gregg Akkerman Gregg Akkerman is a retired university professor with a Doctorate Degree in the Humanities from the University of Northern Colorado. Also a successful self-employed musician and author, Gregg is a current member of both the Parks and Recreation Committee and Civic Engagement Committee for the City of Palm Desert. In addition,...
Meet Joey Acuña Jr. “I’m running for State Assembly because l believe in the promise of California, and I want to make sure the kids who grow up in our district have access to world-class schools, good-paying jobs, and clean air and water. I’ll listen to residents and work hard every day to improve and protect...
Meet Elizabeth Tucker For over 28 years, I have called Riverside County my home. I raised two wonderful children in this community. My son is now a Sophomore at UC Berkeley and my daughter will graduate Palm Desert High School in 2024 with honors. I have had the opportunity to give back to...
Meet Lisa Middleton Lisa Middleton is a neighborhood advocate and City Councilmember who has delivered pragmatic, common-sense solutions to some of our region’s greatest challenges. A first-generation college student who grew up in a working-class community, Lisa has dedicated her life to public service. On the Palm Springs City Council, Lisa has helped improve...
MEET ANYSE SMITH Anyse Smith, a longtime Palm Desert resident, is an educator, public interest attorney and community advocate with a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from George Washington University and a Master’s in International Law from the Paris Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi. Anyse is an active part of the recovery community in the...
MEET WILL ROLLINS Will is a former federal prosecutor who focused on counterterrorism and counterintelligence cases in Southern California. He’s from a family of both Republicans and Democrats. He’s running for Congress because the threats to our democracy and to our communities that first led him to run for office are still there, and Ken...
MEET RAUL RUIZ Dr. Raul Ruiz has always put People First. The son of hardworking farmworkers, Dr. Ruiz grew up in Coachella and learned at an early age that the key to attaining the American Dream is hard work and a great education. In the summer of 1990, Raul walked in the desert heat from...
MEET CHRISTY HOLSTEGE As the Mayor of Palm Springs, Christy led the city safely through the COVID-19 crisis, supported small businesses, invested in green energy, and expanded healthcare and social services. Christy has secured new funding for affordable housing, spearheaded programs to house hundreds of formerly homeless people, and significantly increased the number of mental...
ADAM SCHIFF Right matters. Truth matters. Democracy matters. Adam has been – and will continue to be – on the frontlines of the fight for the heart and soul of our democracy. He has dedicated his life to public service, and to California, and has been a progressive champion. Learn more about Adam and where...
We are fortunate to have a dynamic slate of young, smart candidates running for office in 2024. Pictured: Will Rollins for US Congress; Steve Olson Rancho Mirage voter; Ken Richard Rancho Mirage voter; Anyse Smith for Palm Desert City Council District 3; and Christy Gilbert Holstege for State Assembly. All three candidates have been endorsed...
