Which local Republicans are going?

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Some Coachella Valley Republican officials are planning to attend former President Donald Trump's campaign rally near Coachella on Saturday. But others said they won’t be there, while many didn't respond.

After the rally was announced, The Desert Sun reached out to many Republican officials and candidates in Riverside County, some of whom are in competitive races on the November ballot, to learn who’s going.

U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert, who represents much of the western Coachella Valley and was endorsed by Trump in 2022, is going to the rally, according to spokesperson Jason Gagnon, who works in Calvert's government office. It’s unclear whether Calvert, a Corona resident who’s in a competitive race for re-election against Democrat Will Rollins, will deliver any remarks during the rally.

Assemblymember Greg Wallis, R-Bermuda Dunes, who is running a re-election bid against Democratic challenger Christy Holstege, is not planning to attend, according to a member of his campaign staff who spoke on condition of anonymity. The staffer declined to elaborate on the reason.

Wallis beat Holstege by a razor-thin margin of 85 votes two years ago, and in her 2024 campaign, she has consistently tried to tie him to Trump and the "MAGA" movement. Wallis has focused instead on public safety and cost of living, while painting Holstege as too liberal and soft on criminals.

At least one prominent statewide candidate — Steve Garvey, the GOP candidate for U.S. Senate — is also not planning to attend. Garvey, who Trump recently said made a “big mistake because he hasn’t reached out to MAGA,” told The Desert Sun earlier this week that he will be away at an out-of-state event.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said he will be at the rally at Calhoun Ranch. Bianco endorsed Trump several months ago, saying in an Instagram video with his sheriff's uniform on that “it’s time we put a felon in the White House.” Asked if he will give any remarks at the rally, Bianco said he’s “not planning on it but would if asked.”

“I will be attending as I am responsible for the protection of the former president and all of the attendees, especially in light of recent events surrounding attempts on his life,” Bianco said in an email. “Our residents should be assured they will be safe while attending the rally.”

Bianco also criticized recent statements from local Democrats, such as Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez and U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz, both of whom condemned the former president’s visit to the area.

“Reckless comments from irresponsible local politicians certainly do not help our mission and quite frankly are embarrassing for Riverside County,” Bianco said. “I will be there to ensure the former President and attendees go home safely.”

It’s also unclear who from the California Republican Party will be there, as party officials did not respond to requests for comment from The Desert Sun.

However, Jessica Millan Patterson, the party’s chairwoman, will be in the valley Saturday morning to get out the vote for Calvert, Wallis and Republican state Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh. James Gallagher, the Assembly’s Republican leader, and Brian Jones, the Senate’s Republican leader, will also be there for the "get out the vote" initiative, according to flyers posted online by the Riverside County Republican Party.

A spokesperson for Ochoa Bogh, who’s seeking re-election against Democrat Lisa Middleton in a district that includes several valley cities, did not respond to a request for comment on whether she will be attending the rally later Saturday.

A few other local Republicans running for office — congressional candidate Ian Weeks, who’s running against incumbent Democratic Rep. Raul Ruiz, and state Assembly candidate Jeff Gonzalez, who’s facing off against Democrat Jose “Joey” Acuña for an open seat — also did not respond to requests for comment on their plans.

Former KMIR news anchor Dan Ball, who now works for One America News Network, is planning to speak at Saturday’s rally, according to the Uken Report. It’s unclear what other programming is scheduled for the event, with doors opening at noon and Trump slated to speak at 5 p.m.

More: Trump rally: Secret Service warning of intermittent road closures, but details hazy

More: Elated fans, long waits and a long speech: What to expect at Trump's Coachella rally

Desert Sun staff writer Larry Bohannan contributed to this report.

Tom Coulter covers the cities of Palm Desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells. Reach him at thomas.coulter@desertsun.com.

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Which local Republicans are going?

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