Former Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte has officially launched his campaign for re‑election to the Palm Springs City Council, seeking to continue representing District 3 with a platform centered on fiscal discipline, transparency, and community‑driven progress. After sixteen years of public service and a results‑focused mayoral term from 2024–2025, deHarte enters the 2026 race emphasizing smarter planning, stronger neighborhoods, and a commitment to measurable outcomes for every city investment.
As the current District 3 representative, deHarte has built his leadership around the belief that effective government must be both compassionate and financially responsible. His “We Can” vision prioritizes streamlined city processes, support for local businesses, and a shift away from open‑ended spending toward verifiable results. This includes strengthening public safety response times, implementing data‑driven homelessness strategies, and ensuring economic development efforts demonstrate clear, measurable success.
During his mayoral tenure, deHarte became known for urging caution on unfunded or overly ambitious projects, advocating instead for completing existing initiatives and delivering high‑quality constituent services. He continues to champion Palm Springs’ tourism economy as the engine that funds social progress, neighborhood protection, and long‑term community stability — while also pushing to diversify the local economic base.
Although he remains a strong supporter of restoring the public’s ability to directly elect the city’s mayor, deHarte’s focus remains firmly on District 3. “District 3 is where my work begins and ends,” he said. “I want to be clear that I am not running for Mayor. My focus remains on providing our residents with an experienced voice dedicated to the essentials: public safety, street maintenance, and local representation.”
District 3 encompasses the central heart of West Palm Springs between Vista Chino and Ramon Road. Residents can learn more, endorse the campaign, or join the committee at rondeharte.com.
About Ron deHarte
Ron deHarte served as the 27th Mayor of Palm Springs and was first elected to the City Council in 2022 with 64.7% of the vote. A longtime small business owner and advocate for inclusivity and innovation, he previously served on the Human Rights Commission and on nonprofit boards including Safe Schools Desert Cities, LGBTQ Archives of the Desert, USA Prides, and Palm Springs Pride.
His regional leadership includes service on the California Coalition of Mayors, the CVAG Executive Committee, and CVAG’s Homelessness and Energy & Environmental Resources committees. Locally, he has contributed to the Mayor’s Council on Economic Development, the Convention Center and Tourism Stakeholders Working Group, Visit Greater Palm Springs, the Palm Springs Hospitality Association, P.S. Resorts, the Finance Standing Committee, and One‑PS. His 2026 appointments include the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Alternative Transportation Committee, and the Ad Hoc Committee for Downtown Parking.