Anyse Smith (Palm Desert City Council District 3, California, candidate 2024)

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Anyse Smith

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Palm Desert City Council District 3

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

George Washington University

Personal

Birthplace

San Francisco, CA

Profession

Educator

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Anyse Smith ran for election to the Palm Desert City Council District 3 in California. She was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.^[source]

Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Anyse Smith provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 13, 2024:

• Birth date: April 2, 1986
• Birth place: San Francisco, California
• Bachelor's: George Washington University
• Graduate: Paris Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi
• J.D.: California Desert Trial Academy, 2020
• Gender: Female
• Profession: Educator
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Your district, your voice.
• Campaign website
• Campaign endorsements
• Campaign Facebook
• Campaign Instagram
• Campaign YouTube
• Campaign YouTube video

Elections

General election

General election for Palm Desert City Council District 3

Stephen Nelson, Gina Nestande, and Anyse Smith ran in the general election for Palm Desert City Council District 3 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate
		Stephen Nelson (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Gina Nestande (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Anyse Smith (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

To view Smith's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Smith in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Anyse Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Smith's responses.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Anyse Smith is a longtime Palm Desert resident, educator, and attorney who has dedicated her career to advocating for the people of the Coachella Valley. Her decade long experience working with regional, county and state officials has given Anyse a deep understanding of the challenges our community face and has equipped her to make smart, informed decisions that will ensure that North Palm Desert's growth is strategic, our communities and businesses are safe, and that our city remains a place where everyone can thrive.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Public Safety: Emergency preparedness following recent storms and fires is critical, and I’ll work with our police and fire departments to keep our neighborhoods safe.
• Protecting Seniors & Working Families: Many seniors and working families struggle to make ends meet. I will work to improve essential services, public transportation, and equitable access to affordable housing and community resources.
• Sustainable Development: I will advocate for policies that protect our environment, reduce our carbon footprint, and foster a vibrant, walkable North Palm Desert.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am deeply committed to ensuring that our community remains a safe, vibrant place for everyone who has made Palm Desert their home. Throughout my career, I have focused on affordable housing and addressing homelessness in ways that strengthen our community, protect property values, and improve overall safety. In roles with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments and the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, I’ve led programs that provide not only housing but also essential mental health and addiction services to help individuals find stability.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Over a decade ago Anyse faced personal challenges. She grappled with issues of drug and alcohol dependence that led to a period of incarceration, homelessness, and numerous hardships. However, her story is one of triumph over adversity. Anyse sought help and emerged victorious, graduating from the Gateway Program at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission in Spring 2014. Her remarkable journey was chronicled in the CVRM Summer 2016 Newsletter, aptly titled “A life full of miracles.” Since that time Anyse has drawn inspiration from her own transformative experiences, and has found her calling in helping others. She now mentors women at the CVRM and sits on many boards, including CHOC, The Riverside County Continuum of Care and Category 5 Training, which focuses on helping at-risk youth realize their potential.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

IE United, IE Votes, Elect Good People, Run for Something, California Working Families Party, Inland Empire Labor Council, SEIU Local 121RN, Teamsters Local 1932, Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 440, United Steelworkers Inland Empire Legislative and Education Committee, United Food & Commercial Workers Western States Council.

Dr. Edwin Gomez Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, CA State Senator Richard D. Roth, CA Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson, CA Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, Councilmember Grace Garner, City of Palm Springs, Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Ross, City of Cathedral City, Mayor Pro Tem Jan Pye, City of Desert Hot Springs, Mayor Lamar Thorpe, Antioch

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Anyse Smith believes strongly in financial transparency and government accountability, especially as Palm Desert faces the dual challenge of managing growth and maintaining essential services. This is where Measure G can play a vital role. The 1% sales tax increase is an opportunity to ensure that the city’s growth is balanced with safety, security, and fiscal responsibility while still providing one of the lowest sales tax rates in the Coachella Valley.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Candidate

Palm Desert City Council District 3

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