The Race That Almost Was For IE Democrats, LGBTQ Community

PALM DESERT, CA — On Monday, Palm Springs Councilmember Christy Holstege released an in-depth statement, admitting defeat in her bid to win the 47th State Assembly District seat — a district that stretches across Riverside and San Bernardino counties and includes the Coachella Valley and San Gorgonio Pass Area.

"The votes have all been counted, and it is clear that by the very thinnest of margins, we have fallen just short of victory, coming the closest this district has ever come to electing a Democrat to State Assembly. With slightly better turn out, we would have flipped this district blue," she said.

"I called Greg Wallis this morning to congratulate him, and expressed to him that I hope we can work together these next two years to deliver measurable results for our communities," Holstege continued.

Indeed, the race was close — just 85 votes decided the winner — and is perhaps an indicator of just how hard the newly elected GOP assemblymember will need to work to appease his constituents on both sides of the aisle.

Wallis was sworn in at noon Monday at the Chase Administration Building and Reception Garden at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert.

Holstege, who is a bisexual civil rights attorney, acknowledged that her bid was an uphill battle, with the California Republican Party spending more money supporting Wallis than in any other assembly race in the state, and she criticized the GOP's "misleading attack ads."

But she also admitted the campaign was history-making.

"No openly bisexual woman has ever been elected to the California Legislature, and while we fell short, we came closer than any candidate ever has to breaking that glass ceiling. And we’ve learned, once again in 2022, we can never take a woman or an LGBTQ candidate winning a race for granted, since the barriers to our success are still very much real," Holstege said.

It's back to work in Palm Springs for Holstege. Her current term on City Council expires in 2024.

"While I am disappointed by the outcome, I am determined to continue serving my community in every way possible. Nothing about this election result changes my commitment to advocating for the issues that matter most to our community, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that our assembly district has strong representation that reflects our values, our communities get our fair share of resources, and we advocate collectively on important issues from fair wages, to climate change, to affordable housing, to equitable access to healthcare, to civil rights, and safer communities," Holstege said. "I am not done serving and am not done fighting for our community."