Coachella’s City Council saw plenty of change in 2026. Now, it’s guaranteed to experience even more in 2027 no matter how the election turns out.
That’s because three seats – including the mayor position – are up for election and at least one will be by filled someone new after incumbent councilmember Stephanie Virgen opted not to seek re-election.
The other open council seat is held by Realtor Juan M. Martinez, who was appointed to fill Frank Figueroa's seat last summer. Figueroa vacated the seat when he was appointed mayor in April after the resignation of Steven Hernandez following his guilty plea to a felony conflict-of-interest charge related to his time as mayor. Both Martinez and Figueroa are seeking re-election.
Unlike several Coachella
Valley cities, Coachella does not have city council districts. Instead, all voters in the city can vote on all the city council seats. In this case, that means the two city council candidates who get the most votes will get the two four-year terms.
Martinez is one of five candidates running for the two open council seats while Figueroa is facing three challengers in the separate mayoral election.
The other candidates joining Martinez in seeking election to the council are Coachella Parks and Recreation Commission member Andrew Gallegos, College of the Desert financial aid specialist Yavonne Zapata, mixed martial arts fighter Ambar De La Herran and Vicente Zamora. Zamora was the co-leader of an effort to recall the holders of the city’s other two council seats, Denise Delgado and Yadira Perez. That recall ultimately did not qualify for the 2026 ballot.
Delgado and Perez’s seats aren’t up until 2028, although Delgado is currently running for mayor which means the city could end up with another open seat to be filled next year if she is elected to that position.
The Desert Sun asked all five city council candidates the same four questions about why they are running for city council and what they hoped to accomplish. De La Herran and Zamora did not respond.
Why are you running and what makes you a good choice?
Juan M. Martinez (incumbent): I’m running because Coachella deserves a council that comes prepared. When the council appointed me in June, I hit the ground running. That’s because I’ve spent years preparing for this kind of work. I’ve served on and chaired several committees with The California Associations of Realtors and The California Desert Association of Realtors where I learned how to run a meeting, build consensus, and get results. As a real estate broker, I work every day with land use, zoning, and contracts—the same issues that come before our council. I also prioritize continuous learning. My continuing education covers ethics, fair housing, real estate law, finance, and contracts. When a development agreement or city contract comes before me, I know how to read it and what questions to ask. Coachella needs leaders who understand how growth works and who will ensure every development agreement comes with real benefits to our community. That’s what I bring.
Andrew Gallegos: I am running for Coachella City Council because I care deeply about our community and want to continue serving its residents. With more than 20 years of nonprofit and community leadership experience, I bring knowledge of budgeting, accounting, grants, events, and organizational leadership. My service on the Coachella Parks and Recreation Commission has given me firsthand insight into our community’s needs. I believe the city government should listen to residents, make responsible decisions, and get things done. I will work collaboratively with the Council, support economic development, strengthen parks and recreation, and create more opportunities for our youth, families, and businesses.
Yavonne Zapata: Coachella has been my home for 40 years. I am running to give our working families a voice in decisions that affect our everyday lives. As a mother of seven, including through adoption and foster care, I understand the real challenges families face. I bring years of Riverside County public service experience, including supervision, and currently help students access financial aid at College of the Desert. My work has taught me to listen, navigate systems, and find solutions. I would bring that experience, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to serving residents.
What are three things you would most prioritize working with the rest of the council to achieve during your term?
Martinez: I want Coachella to be a city that works for the families already here and welcomes the people who want to join us, whether they’re coming to work, to retire, or to invest.
Smart growth with community benefits: Coachella is growing, and that growth should pay off for the people who already live here. New development should bring benefits: parks, roads, local jobs, and support for our schools and small businesses. Done right, growth makes Coachella a place where retirees want to settle and investors want to build.
Energy infrastructure: We can’t build homes, attract employers, or bring in new businesses without reliable power. I want the city working closely with our electric provider and our regional partners to expand capacity so Coachella is ready for the investment that’s coming instead of losing it to other cities.
Paths to homeownership: Too many families who grew up here can’t afford to buy here. I’d like to work to create a Coachella Affordable Housing Trust Fund. It would include down payment help for first-time buyers who have lived in the city for five years or more. Owning a home is how families build stability and wealth, and our residents deserve that chance. New infrastructure will help us achieve it.
Gallegos: Youth, Parks & Recreation: Expand quality parks, sports, recreation, after-school programs, and community activities. As a tennis coach, I understand the value of positive opportunities for youth and families.
Economic Growth & Local Businesses: Support responsible economic development, strengthen local businesses, attract new opportunities, and create pathways for residents to build careers and succeed.
Trust & Accountability: Listen to residents, communicate openly, make fiscally responsible decisions, and work collaboratively with the Council to address neighborhood needs.
My goal is simple: a stronger Coachella with greater opportunities, a thriving local economy, and a City government residents can trust.
Zapata: My three priorities are housing, education and youth opportunities. I would work with the council to explore current affordable housing and first-time homebuyer opportunities. I recently tried to access the first-time home buyer’s program that Coachella recommended. and there was no funds. I would strengthen partnerships that help people experiencing homelessness achieve stability like Bridges 2hope. I would strengthen collaboration with College of the Desert and local schools to expand college access, career training, and youth programs. Finally, I would prioritize projects, with realistic budgets, clear timelines, and regular updates so residents can see progress.
How would you help bring stability and restore public trust?
Martinez: What happened was serious, and residents had every right to be angry. A public official broke the law and broke the community’s trust. That should never be minimized. But Coachella can’t stay stuck in that chapter. It’s time to move forward.
Our new city manager and I started at nearly the same time, and we both hit the ground running. Stability starts with the council setting clear goals, letting our city manager lead, and letting staff focus on the work instead of the turmoil.
Trust isn’t restored with speeches. It’s restored with results. We’re rolling up our sleeves and restarting projects that were left incomplete or abandoned, like the Ave 50 whitewater canal bridge. When residents see roads fixed, projects finished, and city hall answering their questions, they’ll know things have changed.
My own standard is simple: if I ever have a financial interest in a decision, I disclose it and step aside.
Gallegos: Coachella has experienced a challenging period, and I believe the way forward is to focus on the future, not division or personalities. If elected, I will work with the entire City Council to promote stability through professionalism, transparency, accountability, and teamwork. Residents deserve to understand how decisions are made, how taxpayer dollars are spent, and how their priorities are being addressed. I will encourage open communication between residents, elected officials, and City staff. Councilmembers may disagree, but we can disagree respectfully and work together. Public trust is earned through consistent action: listening, showing up, following the rules, and putting Coachella residents first.
Zapata: Restoring trust requires consistent, accountable leadership. I would support a thorough, fair process and advocate for transparent hiring and contracting, safeguards against favoritism and conflicts of interest, with clear reporting on spending and major decisions. Residents deserve meaningful opportunities to ask questions and receive answers. I would approach disagreements professionally, work respectfully with fellow council members and staff, and keep our community’s needs at the center of decisions.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
Martinez: I came to the United States in 1990 because my mother dreamed of a better life for our family. We were a working family, and I learned early that nothing is handed to you. You earn it.
I graduated from Coachella Valley High School in 1994. College wasn’t possible for me then, so I took advantage of Riverside County’s ROP program, studying computer information systems and banking and finance while I worked. Later, I completed a course and earned a certificate in local government policy through Pepperdine University.
In real estate, I’ve represented my association in Sacramento and served on its Environmental Sustainability and Government Affairs committees, working on the policies that shape our communities and protect property rights.
My story is a Coachella story. Many families here came for the same reason mine did, and they’re working just as hard. I want every one of them to have the same chance I had. I’d be honored to earn your vote on Nov. 3.
Gallegos: I want voters to know that I am someone who believes in service, community, and getting involved. I also want voters to know that I am willing to listen—even when someone disagrees with me. I don't believe a City Council should be about one person or one agenda. It should be about working together and making responsible decisions for the entire community.
I am asking for the opportunity to serve—not for the title, but for the responsibility that comes with it.
Zapata: I am a working mother of seven and a longtime Coachella resident. I earned my associate’s degree in psychology at College of the Desert and have been studying social work at California State University, San Bernardino’s Palm Desert campus. Like many families, I am trying to buy a home while balancing work, family, and everyday expenses. My education and public service experience have taught me to listen, explain resources clearly, and advocate for others. I want to support existing community groups and help residents feel connected, informed, and included in Coachella’s future.
Paul Albani-Burgio covers growth, development and business in the Coachella Valley. Email him at paul.albani-burgio@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Who's running for Coachella City Council? Meet the candidates
