Local & Community
Republican Front-Runners Establish Early Leads in Coachella Valley Congressional and State Assembly Primary Races
Initial voting percentages continue to pour in from Tuesday's statewide primary election, establishing strong early advantages for Republican candidates across several highly contested congressional and state legislative districts serving the Coachella Valley.
THE REDRAWN FORTY-EIGHTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
One of the most closely watched contests is the race for California's 48th Congressional District. The boundaries of this district were significantly altered following the passage of Proposition 50 in a special election last November. The redistricting added the cities of Palm Springs and Indian Wells to the district, shifting the voter registration dynamics to 39 percent registered Democrats and 29 percent registered Republicans.
Despite the newly minted Democratic registration advantage, early returns show Republican candidate Jim Desmond establishing a commanding lead with 36.8 percent of the vote. Democratic challenger Marty Von Wilpert follows in second place with 19.2 percent. While thousands of ballots remain uncounted across the region, these initial tallies provide the first clear picture of the general election trajectory for the redrawn seat.
THE HIGH STAKES BATTLE FOR ASSEMBLY DISTRICT THIRTY-SIX
In the race for State Assembly District 36, which encompasses all of Imperial County and a broad stretch of the eastern Coachella Valley, incumbent Republican Jeff Gonzalez has established a dominant lead, capturing 48.97 percent of the early vote.
While Gonzalez has secured his position on the November ballot, a fierce, razor-thin battle is unfolding for the second general election slot. Indio City Council member and Democratic candidate Oscar Ortiz currently occupies second place with 21.8 percent of the vote, closely trailed by Ida Obeso Martinez at 21.5 percent. Democratic candidate Tomas Oliva sits in fourth with 7.5 percent. With less than a single percentage point separating Ortiz and Martinez, the second-place spot remains too close to call.
Following the initial release of the data boards, Gonzalez issued an official statement expressing gratitude to his supporters, noting that while his campaign has successfully advanced to the general election, the real political fight is just beginning.
WALLACE LEADS IN ASSEMBLY DISTRICT FORTY-SEVEN
Concurrently, in State Assembly District 47, incumbent Republican Greg Wallace has taken an early lead with 45.2 percent of the vote. The district, which centers around the western Coachella Valley—including Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, La Quinta, and Cathedral City—as well as parts of the high desert, is seeing a competitive field of challengers.
Democrat Lila Namvar currently holds the second-place position with 31.9 percent, followed by fellow Democrat Jason Byers in third place at 22.7 percent. As county clerks continue to process late-arriving mail-in ballots and physical drop-box submissions, these margins are expected to shift.
NBC Palm Springs will provide updated totals throughout the day and during the evening newscasts. Comprehensive, real-time data boards are also continually updating on the station's main digital platforms.
Explore NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the valley.
By: NBC Palm Springs
June 3, 2026
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