Raul Ruiz is a fixture of Coachella Valley politics. The Coachella native, a Democrat, has represented portions of the region for seven consecutive terms in Congress and now seeks an eighth one in a reconstituted 25th Congressional District that The Cook Political Report currently rates "solid democrat," which means that it is not expected to be competitive.
This time around, Ruiz’s Republican challenger is Joe Males, a Marine veteran, business owner and Hemet City Council member. Males has described himself as a proven leader who is seeking to bring “common sense” to Washington and will work to find common ground with Democrats while hewing to conservative principles.
Ruiz, meanwhile, has emphasized what he calls his record of securing federal
investment in his district and opposing to Donald Trump’s tariffs and other Republican policies he says have made life more expensive for his constituents.
Both candidates have also underscored how their personal stories and experiences shaped them and provided insight into the needs of their constituents. Ruiz is the son of farmworkers who became a physician and Males is an adoptee who became a Marine sergeant, started a business and tragically lost his son to homicide.
Ruiz has been a consistent electoral performer who has cruised to sizable wins in his recent elections, although the 25th District now has a somewhat different composition following Democrats' successful 2025 push to redistrict the state.
The new version of his district that is taking effect in this election includes most of the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs and Indian Wells are the exceptions). It covers a sprawling southeastern corner of the state that extends from the Mexico border north to Twentynine Palms and from Inland Empire cities Beaumont, Banning and San Jacinto east to the Arizona border. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is that the district's composition continues to be favorable to Democrats: Registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans in the district by nearly 14 percentage points as of Sept. 4.
Males lives in southwestern Hemet, which is not within District 25. The U.S. Constitution doesn't require people to live in a congressional district to represent it and only requires that they live in the state.
The Desert Sun asked both candidates the same questions about why they're running and what they would do if elected to Congress. Here's what they had to say.
Why are you running and what makes you the best choice to represent California’s 25th district?
Joe Males
I’m running for Congress because I believe public office is about service, accountability, and putting people before politics.
My life has been defined by service. I was adopted at four years old, experienced my share of difficulties growing up, and joined the United States Marine Corps at 18. I earned the rank of Sergeant E-5 through hard work, discipline, and leadership. Later, I built and operated a successful technology business for more than 20 years.
In 2016, my son Nicholas, also a Marine, was murdered in Hemet. When his case went cold, I decided I could either complain about the system or become part of changing it. I ran for City Council, was elected, and later served as Mayor in 2023 and 2024.
As Mayor, I helped advance significant investments in our roads, public safety, and community facilities. I understand budgets, infrastructure, economic development, and the difficult decisions elected officials must make.
What makes me different is that I have lived through adversity, led Marines, operated a business, and served in local government. I know what it means to be accountable for results.
I’m not running to become a career politician. I’m running to bring common sense, proven leadership, and accountability to Washington.
Raul Ruiz
I’m running for reelection because the people of the 25th District deserve a representative who lives in the district, understands the challenges facing our communities, and will fight to deliver results.
As the son of farmworkers who grew up in the Coachella Valley and as an emergency physician, I’ve spent my life serving this community. In Congress, I’ve worked to lower health care costs, protect Medicare and Medi-Cal, support veterans, create good-paying jobs, and secure federal investments for local communities.
I bring both firsthand understanding of the challenges our families face and a proven record of delivering for the region.
How would you evaluate the recent direction of the country? What will you prioritize if Republicans remain in charge? What will you prioritize if Democrats gain control?
Joe Males
I believe America has an opportunity to strengthen its economy, secure its borders, restore fiscal responsibility, and rebuild confidence in our government. I support the Trump administration’s efforts toward those goals, but I also believe every administration and every member of Congress must be judged by results.
Families are still struggling with the cost of housing, groceries, energy, healthcare, and insurance. Government must focus on making everyday life more affordable.
If Republicans maintain control of Congress, my priorities will include reducing wasteful spending, strengthening border security, supporting American manufacturing, protecting our veterans, and developing reliable water and energy resources.
If Democrats gain control, my priorities will not change. I will work with anyone willing to advance legislation that benefits the people I represent.
I am a conservative, and I will not compromise my constitutional principles. But I also understand that governing requires listening, negotiating, and finding common ground.
The American people are tired of political fighting that produces little progress. I believe elected officials should spend less time protecting their political parties and more time protecting the interests of the American people.
Raul Ruiz
Trump and Republicans in Congress are making life worse for most people in the Coachella Valley and beyond! Housing is unaffordable for many and interest rates are skyrocketing. Groceries are too expensive. Trump’s tariffs and war in Iran have increased prices for gas, cars, and appliances. And healthcare costs have skyrocketed, and thousands of people have lost their coverage because of Trump policies.
Regardless of who’s in charge, I will work to lower costs, expand access to healthcare, and create job opportunities.
The 25th Congressional District stretches across parts of three counties and many diverse communities. How would you approach advocating for the district?
Joe Males
California’s 25th Congressional District includes communities with different economic needs, but many of their challenges are connected.
Our agricultural communities need dependable water supplies, our small businesses need relief from excessive costs, our families need affordable housing and energy, and our veterans deserve the benefits and services they earned.
One of my highest priorities will be protecting the Imperial Irrigation District’s senior Colorado River water rights while exploring additional water supplies through conservation, recycling, and desalination.
I have been examining the possibility of working with Mexico on desalination projects that could reduce demands on Colorado River water and help preserve supplies in Lake Mead, without jeopardizing existing agricultural water rights.
I also believe economic development must include good-paying jobs, manufacturing, infrastructure, and opportunities for young people to build their futures without leaving their communities.
I will maintain regular communication with local elected officials, tribal governments, farmers, business owners, veterans, and residents throughout the district.
Representation doesn’t mean showing up during election season. It means being accessible, listening to concerns, and returning with solutions.
Whether someone lives in Imperial County, the Coachella Valley, or the district’s San Bernardino County communities, they deserve a representative who understands their concerns and fights for their interests.
Raul Ruiz
I always put people over politics to find real solutions and I always put the needs of our communities first.
My approach has always been grounded in listening to the community and delivering results. As an emergency physician, I learned to solve problems by bringing people together and focusing on solutions. I work across the aisle when it helps our district, and I focus on practical solutions that improve people's lives.
Is there anything else you would want voters to know about you?
Joe Males
I want voters to know that I understand hardship, sacrifice, and responsibility.
I was adopted, served my country as a Marine, built a business, survived a life-threatening illness, and experienced the unimaginable heartbreak of losing my son to murder.
Those experiences changed my life, but they never destroyed my determination to serve others.
I’ve served as an American Legion Post Commander, participated with the Patriot Guard Riders, and honored veterans who passed away without family members present.
I believe leadership is demonstrated through actions, not titles. I am a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Marine veteran, businessman, and public servant. My faith has helped guide me through some of life’s most difficult moments.
I don’t claim to know everything, but I am willing to listen, learn, work hard, and take responsibility for my decisions.
I want voters to remember one thing: Government belongs to the people. Elected officials work for the citizens, not the other way around.
If elected, I will never forget who sent me to Washington or why I was sent there.
Raul Ruiz
As your representative, I’ve secured more than $18 billion in federal investments for our communities. Since 2022, I have secured more than $66 million for roads, water infrastructure, parks, and public safety improvements. This fiscal year, I secured $17 million for 15 new Community Projects. I’m also proud to have helped write and lead the passage of the PACT Act, expanding healthcare and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. Over 7,200 local veterans have benefited.
My mission is simple: improve people’s lives and ensure our communities have the resources and opportunities they deserve.
Paul Albani-Burgio covers growth, development, business and, sometimes, music festivals in the Coachella Valley. Email him at paul.albani-burgio@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Raul Ruiz faces new Republican challenger in midterm election
