Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Cathedral City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

7 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council District 3 · 1 seat

Christina GordonIncumbentCouncilmember who has led communications departments at nonprofit organizations for nearly 20 years. She serves on the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Homelessness Committee, representing Cathedral City.5sourced
Alberto Ruiz Jr.Retired Cathedral City police sergeant who served 32 years with the department before retiring in 2025.3sourced

City Council District 4 · 1 seat

City Council District 5 · 1 seat

Voters in Districts 3, 4 and 5 each choose one councilmember for their own district. Councilmembers Rita Lamb (District 1) and Nancy Ross (District 2) are not on this ballot, and the council appoints the mayor.

3 notes on these statements

Mayor Raymond Gregory, who holds the District 5 seat, is not seeking re-election. Uken Report · Jun 3, 2026

Christina Gordon submitted a letter of interest and met the requirements to apply for the vacant District 3 City Council seat. Uken Report · Jan 5, 2026

Greg Jackson and Shelley Kaplan are listed as City Treasurer candidates for the November 3, 2026 election. City of Cathedral City

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Rita LambCouncilmember, District 1; term 2024-20285sourced Nancy RossCouncilmember, District 2; term 2024-20285sourced

Start here

Match quiz6 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesCannabis licensing and odor rules, Housing and development, Public safety staffing and rules Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots mailed to voters

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Cannabis licensing and odor rules

Where it standsThe council rewrote its cannabis rules in late 2025 and in February 2026 split 3-2 on a dispensary's license renewal appeal.

What's on the tableHow strictly to enforce cannabis licensing, renewal and odor rules, and whether to allow new cannabis uses such as cafes.

The council adopted an ordinance amending its cannabis regulations in October 2025, effective November 23, 2025. City of Cathedral City
The ordinance requires all cannabis businesses to prepare and submit an odor control plan. City of Cathedral City
On February 25, 2026 the council voted 3-2 to affirm staff's decision to deny renewal of the CC Industry, LLC dba C4 USA Cannabis Dispensary License. Cathedral City Council minutes, February 25, 2026 (draft attached to the March 11, 2026 agenda packet) · Feb 25, 2026

Housing and development

Where it standsThe council advanced the Forest Lawn specific plan in May 2026 and updated its accessory dwelling unit rules; the Planning Commission has also been discussing a Development Code Update.

What's on the tableWhich development projects and housing rules the city approves under its updated planning rules.

On February 25, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to introduce an ordinance amending the accessory dwelling unit chapter for consistency with new state law. Cathedral City Council minutes, February 25, 2026 (draft attached to the March 11, 2026 agenda packet) · Feb 25, 2026
The Planning Commission's April 15, 2026 agenda listed a Development Code Update as a discussion-only item. Cathedral City Planning Commission minutes, April 15, 2026 · Apr 15, 2026

Public safety staffing and rules

Where it standsThe city has a newly appointed police chief and an interim deputy fire chief, and the council has begun moving a fireworks ordinance.

What's on the tablePolice and fire staffing, equipment purchases and public safety rules such as fireworks.

On January 14, 2026 the council voted 4-1 to allow the city to appoint Stephen Tumir as a retired annuitant in the interim Deputy Fire Chief position. Cathedral City Council minutes, January 14, 2026 (draft attached to the January 28, 2026 agenda packet) · Jan 14, 2026
City Manager Andrew Firestine announced in August 2026 that Rick Sanchez, Acting Police Chief since December 18, 2025, was appointed Police Chief. Uken Report · Aug 20, 2026
The August 26, 2026 agenda recommended approving the purchase of twenty-five Axon TASER 10 devices for the Police Department for $105,508.61. Cathedral City Council agenda, August 26, 2026 · Aug 26, 2026

Community center and downtown

Where it standsA community center feasibility study was presented in February 2026 and staff are exploring partnerships and financing.

What's on the tableWhether and where to build a community or recreation center, and how to use vacant land and recruit businesses downtown.

On February 25, 2026 the council received a Community Center Feasibility Study from Group 4 Architecture; staff were to explore partnerships and analyze financing options. Cathedral City Council minutes, February 25, 2026 (draft attached to the March 11, 2026 agenda packet) · Feb 25, 2026
On March 11, 2026 the council voted 4-0, with one member absent, to adopt the amended 5-Year Strategic Plan. Cathedral City Council minutes, March 11, 2026 (draft attached to the March 25, 2026 agenda packet) · Mar 11, 2026
As of June 2026 the council had narrowed discussion of a Community Recreation Center to four sites for further analysis but was open to other options. Uken Report · Jun 3, 2026

City spending and management

Where it standsThe council approved a new City Manager contract in February 2026.

What's on the tableHow the city budgets, contracts and sets fees, and who runs city staff.

On February 11, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to approve an employment agreement with City Manager Andrew Firestine with a five-year term and an annual base salary of $280,000. Cathedral City Council minutes, February 11, 2026 (draft attached to the February 25, 2026 agenda packet) · Feb 11, 2026
The August 26, 2026 agenda asked the council to receive and file payment of claims and demands totaling $23,843,317.99 for July 2026. Cathedral City Council agenda, August 26, 2026 · Aug 26, 2026
The August 26, 2026 agenda recommended a $90,000 platinum sponsorship, plus $20,000 in in-kind support, for the 2027 Palm Springs International Film Festival. Cathedral City Council agenda, August 26, 2026 · Aug 26, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. When a cannabis dispensary appeals a license denial, how should the council rule?
2. How should the city try to get more housing built?
3. What should be the city's main step to improve public safety?
4. Should the city build a new community recreation center?
5. How should the city bring new stores and restaurants to town?
6. Should the city add new fees, fines or taxes on residents?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Vote-by-mail ballots mailed to votersRiverside County Registrar of VotersOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to voteRiverside County Registrar of VotersOct 19, 2026
Election DayRiverside County Registrar of VotersNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Rita Lamb, Nancy Ross3 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

The City Council seats on the November 3, 2026 ballot are District 3, District 4 and District 5; a City Treasurer seat is also on the ballot. City of Cathedral City
Council members represent districts; Councilmember Ross was elected in 2020 as the first representative for District 2. City of Cathedral City
District 3 candidates are running for a four-year term. Uken Report · Jul 6, 2026
On December 10, 2025 the council appointed Raymond Gregory as mayor and Ernesto Gutierrez as mayor pro tem under Section 2.04.180 of the municipal code. Cathedral City Council minutes, December 10, 2025 (special meeting; draft attached to the January 14, 2026 agenda packet) · Dec 10, 2025

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