Palm Springs Held City Council Candidate Forum
Candidates for three City Council districts gathered at the Plaza Theatre to address voter questions.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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Palm Springs voters attended a candidate forum at the Plaza Theatre on September 28, 2026. The event featured hopefuls for the city's first, second, and third electoral districts.
Why it matters
The forum provided a platform for residents to hear directly from those seeking office in a format designed to ensure transparency. By bypassing pre-screened questions, the event allowed candidates to address local concerns in an unfiltered environment.
The forum featured candidates from 3 City Council districts, representing an official effort to engage the electorate. The specific questions asked during the session were submitted by voters prior to the event.
The players
Grace Garner
She is a candidate for the District 1 City Council seat in Palm Springs.
Don Soja
He is running as a candidate for the District 1 City Council position.
Jeffrey Bernstein
He is the candidate seeking election to represent District 2 on the City Council.
Ron DeHarte
He is a candidate competing for the District 3 City Council seat.
Charlie Brown
He is a candidate participating in the election for the District 3 City Council seat.
The details
Candidates for District 1, District 2, and District 3 participated in the session to outline their platforms. Candidates did not receive the submitted questions before the event, ensuring responses were spontaneous.
Timeline
The candidate forum took place on September 28, 2026.
Political Context
Opponents of district-based elections often argue that the system can foster hyper-localism and limit the perspective of council members to their specific neighborhoods. Others suggest that such systems can create voting blocs that may not align with the broader interests of the entire city.
This forum impacts taxpayers by offering a direct method to evaluate the priorities and qualifications of those who will manage municipal policy and budgets. Residents can use the information gathered at the event to inform their voting decisions for their respective districts.
The takeaway
Direct candidate engagement allows voters to verify a candidate's stance on local issues without the filter of campaign advertising. Residents should prepare for future forums by researching district-specific challenges ahead of election day.
What happens next
Organizers intend to conduct similar candidate forums throughout future election cycles to maintain voter engagement.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming local elections, visit the Civic Engagement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC Palm Springs.
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