Meet Ron
Palm Springs City Councilmember | District 3
Ron is the 27th Mayor of Palm Springs. He was first elected to the City Council in 2022 by a wide margin of 64.7% of the votes. A small business owner and champion for inclusivity and economic innovation, he previously served two terms on the Human Rights Commission and as a director on several non-profit boards, including Safe Schools Desert Cities, LGBTQ Archives of the Desert, USA Prides, and Palm Springs Pride.
Ron is not just a city councilmember; he's your neighbor. He firmly believes that Palm Springs can flourish by ensuring safe streets and sound economic growth, alongside a thriving tourism sector and a commitment to accessible workforce living. He focused his term on a "Palm Springs Forward: Plan Smarter, Build Stronger" strategy. He advocated for prioritized long-term infrastructure, economic diversification, and inclusive community services.
A Proven Champion for Our Community
Ron’s leadership fosters inclusivity. As a former Chair of the Human Rights Commission, advocates for equality in Palm Springs, emphasizing responsible spending, transparency, vibrant neighborhoods, open spaces for all, and inclusivity for every resident.
During his tenure, deHarte represented Palm Springs on a wide array of high-impact committees, including:
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Mayor's Council on Economic Development
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Convention Center and Tourism Stakeholders Working Group
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Tourism Improvement District (TID)
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Urban Planning & Connectivity
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Public Finance
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Coachella Valley Association of Governments Executive Committee
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Coachella Valley Association of Governments Energy & Environmental Resources (2 years)
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Coachella Valley Association of Governments Homelessness Committee (2 years)
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California Coalition of Mayors
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Coachella Valley Conservation Commission (2 years)
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Visit Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau
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Palm Springs Hospitality Association
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P.S. Resorts
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Office of Neighborhood Involvement (One-PS)
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Board & Commission Interviews
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Finance Standing Committee
Deep Roots, Local Results
With sixteen years of active service in Palm Springs, Ron deHarte has the experience to navigate our city’s challenges and the passion to celebrate its successes. He has spent his term representing all residents, and he is ready to continue the work of keeping Palm Springs safe, sustainable, and welcoming for all.
Qualified to serve and take on today’s challenges
Through the years, Ron has supported and/or produced some of the City’s most significant events, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and generating millions of dollars in economic impact. This includes the Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade and Festival, the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, the City of Palm Springs Cesar Chavez Day, the Veterans Day Parade, the Festival of Lights, Cathedral City LGBT Days, and the upcoming May 30 Marilyn Monroe 100 festival in downtown Palm Springs.
He co-chairs the Community Leadership Council and serves as a director on several community-based initiatives, including Safe Schools Desert Cities, The LGBTQ Archives of the Desert, and Greater Palm Springs Pride. At the start of 2026, he completed his second term as a co-founding president of the United States Association of Prides.
Ron prepared for the position of Councilmember for over a decade by attending countless city council meetings in person to understand the issues facing the city and observe the local governance process. Through the COVID-19 outbreak, Ron continued to follow city council actions via the city’s live council meeting broadcast on YouTube.
As a councilmember, Ron currently represents the residents of Palm Springs on:
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Convention Center and Tourism Stakeholders Working Group
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Tourism Improvement District (TID)
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Urban Planning & Connectivity
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Public Finance
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Visit Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau
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Palm Springs Hospitality Association
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P.S. Resorts
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Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce
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Alternative Transportation Committee
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Ad hoc committee for downtown parking
Ron deHarte: A Legacy of Service, A Historic Voice
Ron deHarte isn’t just running to represent Palm Springs; he is a product of the very perseverance and family values that define our community. As the first gay Mexican-American elected to the City Council, Ron brings a unique perspective that honors his deep roots while forging a more inclusive future.
Coming from a working-class Latino family in Arizona, Ron, the youngest of seven, was shaped by hard work and education. As a first-generation college student, he started at a graphic design trade school and community college before graduating from California State University, Northridge.
A Documented History
The deHarte family history is part of American history, documented in the Arizona Chicano/a Collection. Ron's lineage has been preserved in the Southwest for over 160 years, influencing his commitment to ensuring every family in Palm Springs has a voice at City Hall.
Family and Community
For Ron, "family values" include inclusivity and dedication. He and his husband of 28 years, Keith Gran, have two sons and are committed to the safety, beauty, and vibrancy of their community.
Today marks a powerful moment of progress, where our collective vision for a more compassionate and inclusive Palm Springs becomes beautifully real. It’s incredible to reflect that we broke ground on Aloe Palm Canyon only two years ago—almost to the day—showing what focused effort and community commitment can accomplish in a relatively short time. This campus offers 70 one-bedroom apartments, with 25 units reserved for formerly homeless seniors. This day symbolizes a new chapter in how we care for our community and honor the dignity of every resident.
With city council support, we installed 40 bright red banners downtown featuring a heart with the Canadian flag and the message “Palm Springs loves Canada.” The banners were a symbolic gesture to reaffirm the city’s welcoming spirit and valued friendship with Canadian visitors. The campaign proved highly successful, generating positive sentiment and widespread media attention. In total, the effort reached an estimated 1.85 billion people worldwide across digital and traditional media, reinforcing Palm Springs’ reputation as a warm and inclusive destination amid uncertain international relations.
Mayor deHarte with Alberta Solan laying a wreath as a powerful reminder of sacrifice, commitment, and love of country during the Wreaths Across America Day. Our community gathered to remember and honor the veterans interred at Welwood Murray Cemetery. Thanks to the local Cahuilla Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, whose dedication and stewardship help make this annual ceremony possible.
Mayor deHarte speaking at the All Valley Mayors, County and Tribal Chairpersons Luncheon in September. I shared that in Palm Springs, we are building our future, a future that will benefit not just our residents, but the entire Coachella Valley. From the $2 billion airport modernization designed to accommodate passenger growth for the next two decades, to the $405 million College of the Desert campus that will truly make Palm Springs a college town by Fall 2027.
Mayor deHarte and San Miguel de Allende Mayor Trejo meeting at the annual
San Miguel de Allende: a culinary taste of Palm Springs, featuring the restaurants "Tac/Quila" and "Parker". In addition, the visit enabled the advancement of collaborative projects, joint tourism promotion, and exchange programs for culinary arts students, thereby promoting youth professional development and bilateral economic development opportunities.
With events like San Miguel Sus Sabores, San Miguel de Allende consolidates its position as one of Mexico's most important gastronomic destinations, and we were proud to attend and support.
This is the groundbreaking ceremony for the Demuth Park Pickleball Courts Expansion Project, hosted by the City of Palm Springs Department of Parks & Recreation. This event marked the official start of an exciting expansion to one of Palm Springs’ most popular recreation amenities. The full city council was on hand to celebrate.
Celebrating the grand opening of CV Link in Palm Springs and the Come Ride With Us bike club anniversary. CV Link is a 40-mile transportation corridor and recreation pathway that provides a safe route for walking, running, biking, and low-speed electric vehicle use. The link is built largely along the Whitewater River from Highway 111 and the Chino Wash in North Palm Springs to Airport Boulevard in the City of Coachella. CV Link also includes a branch in South Palm Springs along Tahquitz Creek as well as on-street segments in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. CV Link was substantially completed in June of 2025 and is being managed by CVAG in collaboration with CVAG member jurisdictions.