Bernstein formally announces reelection bid for Palm Springs City Council District 2 seat

Palm Springs City Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein got an early start on the 2026 campaign season Wednesday, formally announcing that he will seek reelection to his District 2 seat next November.

Bernstein made the announcement on the steps of City Hall, flanked by supporters from the Palm Springs Police Officers Association, the Palm Springs Police Management Association and the Palm Springs Firefighters Association, all of which have endorsed his campaign.

Bernstein, who owns the Destination PSP retail shop on North Palm Canyon Drive, was first elected to the council in 2022, defeating challenger Renee Brown with 54% of the vote. He served as Palm Springs mayor between December 2023 and December 2024.

He is the first person to publicly declare candidacy for the 2026 election that will include the race for the District 2 seat. Also on the ballot will be seats currently held by Councilmember Grace Garner (District 1) and current Mayor Ron deHarte (District 3), who, along with Bernstein, have filed candidate intention statements with the City Clerk’s office. A map of the districts can be viewed here.

“It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve the city and the residents of District 2,” Bernstein said. “It would be a privilege to continue that work for another four years.”

He cited several accomplishments during his first term, including helping to open the Navigation Center for homeless residents, overseeing the start of major infrastructure projects and leading the committee that successfully convinced voters to remove the sunset provision on Measure J.

“Last year, I helped lead the committee to get the Measure J sunset removed, ensuring that we have another $20 million plus a year in our budget, and we’re using those funds for the convention center, the library, and also a new fire station,” Bernstein said.

The city has also broken ground on five new playgrounds, a library renovation and pickleball courts during his tenure, he said. Three affordable housing developments have opened, with two more in the works.

Bernstein said the city successfully responded to Hurricane Hilary and the terrorist bombing in May.

“Through it all, because of our firefighters, because of our police department and our city staff, we actually came out with the unthinkable,” Bernstein said. “We came out with a city that feels safer and better than ever.”

Brandon Battaglia, president of the Palm Springs Firefighters Association, said Bernstein has consistently shown his commitment to public safety.

“Jeffrey has demonstrated he listens to first responders, values our expertise, and has a proven record of supporting policies that keep our neighborhoods safe,” Battaglia said.

Michael Torres, representing both the Palm Springs Police Officers Association, said the endorsement was an easy decision.

“Jeffrey has been a supporter of ours from beginning, and we know that he needs us more than ever,” Torres said. “We’re here to have his back because he always had ours.”

If reelected, Bernstein said he plans to focus on economic development in healthcare, clean energy, arts and culture and tech sectors. He also pledged to develop a comprehensive citywide shade and heat mitigation plan and a city tech plan to streamline operations.

“I promise that over the next three years, with the help of all the residents, I will continue to work hard to build up our tourism, to build up new infrastructure projects, to build up new economic development,” Bernstein said.

Bernstein and his husband, Dr. Oscar Chamudes, live in the Oasis del Sol neighborhood with their rescue dog Archie.

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