Lifelong Palm Springs resident Renee Brown said Thursday she intends to run for the District 2 City Council seat currently occupied by Councilmember Dennis Woods. She’s the second candidate to formally announce her candidacy in the district.
Driving the news: The 68-year-old resident of Desert Park Estates told The Post by phone she filed her intention to run with the city this week. She has until Aug. 12 to collect the requisite number of signatures in the district in order to appear on the November ballot.
Behind the decision: Brown, who is well known for her work with the Palm Springs Historical Society, acknowledges she’s not a politician, but thinks that may play to her advantage. Her family has roots in the community dating back to the 1950s, she said, and like many longtime residents she has watched the dream of homeownership in the city quickly fade for many who live and work here.
- “I’m a very different candidate,” said Brown. “I was born and raised here. I just feel that even if I don’t win, I want to be heard. I’m speaking for a lot of people who feel that way. This is becoming such an elitist town. We have police officers and firefighters who can’t afford to live in this community.”
State of play: Woods, whose term expires later this year, has not announced whether he intends to run for reelection. In January, local business owner Jeffrey Bernstein formally announced his candidacy for the seat. Another potential candidate, Thomas Reinhard, owner of Classic Custom Woodworks, filed paperwork earlier this month also stating he intends to run, but has not made a formal announcement.
Possible ballot: Three of the five City Council seats are up for contention this year. Aside from the District 2 seat Brown and Bernstein are aiming for, voters in districts 1 and 3 also have choices to make.
- In District 1, Mayor Pro Tem Grace Garner is seeking reelection. Daniel Algazi, owner of DA Computers, filed paper stating his intention to run against her, but has not made a formal announcement.
- In District 3, where Councilmember Geoff Kors will not be seeking another term, Palm Springs Pride President Ron deHarte formally announced his candidacy in January. He could be challenged by Julia Kabik, who also filed her intention to run paperwork earlier this month.
