Stephen Nelson (Palm Desert City Council District 3, California, candidate 2024)
Stephen Nelson ran for election to the Palm Desert City Council District 3 in California. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.[source]
Nelson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Stephen Nelson provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on September 29, 2024:
- Birth date: July 26, 1973
- Birth place: New Orleans, Louisiana
- High school: Lake Braddock Secondary School
- Gender: Male
- Religion: Catholic
- Profession: Business Owner and President
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign slogan: a new era of leadership for today, tomorrow and the future
- Campaign website
- Campaign endorsements
- Campaign Facebook
- Campaign Instagram
- Campaign Twitter
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)  | |
| Gina Nestande (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Anyse Smith (Nonpartisan) | ||
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| = 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. | ||||
Election results
Endorsements
To view Nelson's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Nelson in this election.
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Stephen Nelson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Nelson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Active in local governance, Stephen serves on Palm Desert’s Public Safety Committee and the Resource Preservation and Enhancement Committee. He is also President of the Genesis Homeowners’ Association and part of the Desert Learning Academy school site committee. His commitment to community service reflects a deep understanding of residents' needs, particularly in North Palm Desert, where he resides.
Since moving to Palm Desert in 2019, Stephen has prioritized public safety, environmental sustainability, and economic development. He advocates for green building standards, renewable energy adoption, and smart infrastructure. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of educational opportunities, working to strengthen local schools through partnerships with higher education institutions.
Endorsed by Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz, Stephen’s vision for Palm Desert is inclusive, sustainable, and focused on ensuring a vibrant future for all residents. Through collaboration and community engagement, he aims to create a thriving city now and the future.- Community-Centric Leadership: Stephen Nelson is committed to being a strong advocate for the residents of Palm Desert. His experience in local governance and community service positions him as a leader who understands the unique challenges faced by residents, particularly in North Palm Desert. He believes in fostering inclusivity and ensuring that all voices are heard in the decision-making process.
- Sustainable Development: A champion for environmental sustainability, Stephen supports smart development practices that integrate green building standards and renewable energy solutions. He aims to promote policies that protect Palm Desert's natural resources while also addressing the city's housing and economic needs, ensuring a balanced approach to growth.
- Public Safety and Economic Growth: Stephen prioritizes public safety and seeks to enhance community safety through innovative solutions and technology. He also envisions Palm Desert as a hub for economic development, attracting diverse industries while supporting local businesses. His focus on creating well-paying jobs and ensuring the safety of residents underlines his commitment to a thriving community.
2. Public Safety: Ensuring community safety through effective law enforcement, emergency preparedness, and the use of innovative technologies to build trust between law enforcement and the community.
3. Economic Development: Fostering a vibrant local economy by supporting small businesses, attracting new industries, and creating job opportunities while promoting workforce development.
Integrity: Elected officials should uphold high ethical standards, demonstrating honesty and transparency in their actions and decisions. This builds trust with constituents and fosters accountability.
Responsiveness: Being attentive and responsive to the needs and concerns of constituents is crucial. An effective official actively listens, communicates openly, and engages with the community to understand their priorities.
Visionary Leadership: A strong vision for the future is essential. Elected officials should be able to articulate their goals for the community and inspire others to work toward a shared vision for growth and improvement.
Collaboration: Building relationships with other elected officials, community organizations, and residents is vital for effective governance. Collaboration fosters teamwork, encourages diverse perspectives, and enhances decision-making processes.
Problem-Solving Skills: The ability to analyze complex issues and develop practical solutions is critical. Elected officials should be innovative thinkers who can address challenges effectively while considering the long-term impact of their decisions.
Empathy: Understanding the diverse experiences and needs of constituents is important for making informed decisions. An empathetic official recognizes the humanity behind policy issues and prioritizes the well-being of all community members.
Commitment to Service: A genuine dedication to serving the community should drive an elected official’s actions. This principle emphasizes putting the needs of constituents first and working diligently to improve the quality of life in the community.
Accountability: Elected officials must hold themselves accountable for their decisions and actions. This includes being open to feedback, admitting mistakes, and taking steps to rectify any issues.
1. Representing Constituents: Acting as a voice for the residents of District 3, understanding their needs, concerns, and priorities, and advocating for their interests in council discussions and decisions.
2. Making Informed Decisions: Evaluating policies, budgets, and proposals critically to ensure that decisions are in the best interest of the community. This involves gathering information, consulting experts, and considering the long-term impacts of decisions.
3. Promoting Public Safety: Ensuring the safety and well-being of residents by supporting effective law enforcement, emergency services, and community safety initiatives.
4. Advancing Economic Development: Supporting policies that foster economic growth, attract businesses, create job opportunities, and enhance the overall economic vitality of Palm Desert.
5. Overseeing Budget and Finances: Participating in the budgeting process to allocate resources effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability in financial decisions, and addressing the needs of various city departments and services.
6. Fostering Community Engagement: Encouraging resident participation in local governance through town halls, public forums, and other outreach efforts. This helps build trust and allows for diverse perspectives to be heard in the decision-making process.
7. Addressing Housing Issues: Promoting affordable housing initiatives and addressing the housing crisis by supporting policies that provide diverse and accessible housing options for all residents.
8. Championing Environmental Sustainability: Advocating for policies and practices that protect natural resources, promote renewable energy, and encourage sustainable development to ensure a healthy environment for future generations.
Mayor Karina Quintanilla
Trustee and President Emeritus, College of the Desert Dr. Joel Kinnamon
PSUSD President, Madonna Gerrell
PSUSD Trustee, Sergio Espericueta
Councilman Waymond Ferman, City of Indio
Equality California
1. Essential for Trust: Financial transparency fosters trust among constituents by ensuring they have access to information about how taxpayer dollars are being spent. When residents can see the budget, expenditures, and financial reports, they feel more engaged and confident in their local government.
2. Informed Decision-Making: Transparency allows residents to make informed decisions and provide input on financial matters that affect their community. Open access to financial data enables constituents to understand priorities and advocate for their needs effectively.
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.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
