Desert Hot Springs City Council District 1 · Nov 3, 2026
Gary Gardner
Candidate for City Council District 1 (incumbent)
Gary Gardner, the incumbent, is running for Desert Hot Springs City Council District 1 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Edward Boumendil.
Vote-by-mail ballots mailed to voters · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayDesert Hot Springs councilmember elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, previously on the Planning Commission. He has chaired the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- City Council Member
- Endorsed by
- His campaign site lists endorsements from Mayor Scott Matas, Mayor Pro Tem Dirk Voss, Councilmember Jan Pye, Councilmember Daniel Pitts, Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz and the Desert Hot Springs Police Officers Association. Gary Gardner for City Council
- Campaign website
- gardnerfordhs.com
Where Gary Gardner stands: positions on the record
Rental registration1 sourced position
Describes the rental registration ordinance as a priority of his, meant to protect renters.
“a rental registration ordinance designed to protect our renter population”
Own statementGary Gardner for City Council
Public safety1 sourced position
Cites a fully staffed Police Department and additional officer hiring in his ballot statement.
“Our Police Department is fully staffed – and we’re hiring additional officers.”
Own statementRiverside County Registrar of Voters
Data centers1 sourced position
States in his ballot statement that the city has stopped data centers.
“We’ve stopped data centers here”
Own statementRiverside County Registrar of Voters
Logistics development1 sourced position
Moved and voted yes on adopting the resolution approving the DHS Varner Road Specific Plan amendment, tract map and design review for a logistics center (passed 5-0, April 21, 2026).
Council voteCity Council minutes, April 21, 2026 (in the May 5, 2026 packet) · Apr 21, 2026
July 4 celebration1 sourced position
Voted yes on directing staff to hold a traditional fireworks display in 2026 and transition to a drone-based show in 2027 (passed 4-1, February 17, 2026).
Council voteCity Council minutes, February 17, 2026 (in the March 3, 2026 packet) · Feb 17, 2026
Council pay1 sourced position
Voted yes on introducing an ordinance increasing the salary of City Councilmembers and the Mayor (passed 5-0, January 20, 2026).
Council voteCity Council minutes, January 20, 2026 (in the February 3, 2026 packet) · Jan 20, 2026
Also running for City Council District 1
All 4 Desert Hot Springs candidates →Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →
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