Disclaimer Before Reading This Article: We have reached out to both candidates, Greg Wallis and Christy Holstege for interviews.

Palm Springs, CA

In 2020, incumbent Greg Wallis (R) narrowly won his last election with 50% 84,752 votes against challenger Christy Holstege (D) who garnered 50% 84,667 votes. Now, the two are up for a rematch with no real polls to gauge the potential outcome.

During his tenure, Wallis has struck a moderate tone voting in support of both California reproductive rights and LGBTQ rights but, has been accused by his challenger as being tied to a former Oath Keeper.

Recently, we got to conduct a full in depth interview with Assemblymember Greg Wallis on his tenure in office and the upcoming election. Here is our interview:

Eric Gray: You were elected by a slim margin over your opponent for State Assembly in 2020. Why should voters choose you again?

Greg Wallis: As an Assemblymember, I put people over politics. I work with Democrats, Republicans, and anyone else who has a good idea to get things done. As a member of the Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, I set partisanship aside to focus on real solutions—lowering our cost of living, making healthcare more accessible and affordable, and ensuring safer communities.

Eric Gray: The 47th Assembly District covers a large area in both Riverside County and San Bernardino County. In the Coachella Valley alone, your district covers Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Desert Hot Springs Thousand Palms, and parts of La Quinta. How do you balance the needs of residents who have a diverse set of political views?

Greg Wallis: I am honored to represent such a beautiful and diverse district. I have found that we have more in common than we have differences. Everyone wants a more affordable, good quality of life, to feel safe in their homes and communities, and better schools for their children. I will continue to focus on these issues that people care about most.

Eric Gray: Can you highlight some key legislation you’ve sponsored or supported during your term that has had a positive impact on your district?

Greg Wallis: Rising crime is a particular concern and I am proud of the work I did in supporting a bipartisan bill package to crack down on the theft and sale of stolen items. This was a package of 11 enacted bills that creates stricter penalties for individuals involved in retail and property theft, mandates sentencing enhancements for large-scale operations, and creates new crimes — imposing enhanced felony charges and extended prison sentences.

I also supported legislation protecting minors, who are victims of sex trafficking by making sex trafficking of a minor a serious crime, adding it to the Three Strikes law.

Eric Gray: You are running as a Republican but represent a very large LGBTQ population in Greater Palm Springs. Could you tell us your views on gay marriage and other gay rights?

Greg Wallis: I support the right of everyone being able to marry the person that they love. I was a coauthor of ACA 5 which is now Proposition 3 and would enshrine that right in the state constitution. I have been a fierce advocate for LGBTQ rights and I will continue to work hard to ensure everyone gets treated fairly.

(According to Cal Matters, this proves to be true.)

Eric Gray: As the Presidential Election may have an impact on down ballot, what do you say to voters who dislike the sort of rhetoric that Donald Trump engages in?

Leadership is crucial, and as elected officials, we set the tone for our communities.

I’ve seen a desire to tone down extreme rhetoric and restore civility in public discourse—something I firmly support and strive to demonstrate consistently.

Good ideas transcend party lines, and fostering an environment where everyone is respectfully heard is key to our shared success.

Eric Gray: What is your view on Abortion?

Greg Wallis: I believe in a woman’s right to choose what is best for them and their family. From a limited government perspective, this is a deeply personal issue that should be decided between a woman and her doctor. I am proud to have earned a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood that acknowledges my commitment to these rights.

(Wallis’s votes in Assembly show his support for reproductive rights as illustrated here.)

Eric Gray: Your opponent is running ads tying you to a former Oath Keeper. Care to comment on that?

Greg Wallis: Sheriff Bianco is committed to keeping the county safe and is willing to work with Republicans and Democrats alike in that effort. I am the candidate in this race that has the support of law enforcement across the district. The misleading ads are disappointing and shouldn’t have a place in our democracy.

Eric Gray: What strategies do you believe are most effective for fostering economic growth in the 47th Assembly District, especially post-pandemic?

We need to prioritize economic development to attract businesses, grow our economy, and bring more high-paying jobs to the Inland Empire. Right now, businesses are leaving California. To stop this, we need to cut red tape, offer business tax credits, and focus on innovation, not regulation. By creating a business-friendly environment, we can bring more opportunities to our community. Additionally, trained workforce is then number one issue employers face. Silicon Valley didn’t build a tech hub because of lax regulations, it was a hot spot for talent being produced in the region. Investing in our future leaders in the Inland Empire is key to creating and attracting high-paying jobs.

Eric Gray: What measures do you support to enhance public safety in the 47th Assembly District, and how do you balance that with community trust and civil liberties?

Greg Wallis: Enhancing public safety, building community trust, and protecting civil liberties go hand in hand.

I believe everyone, including public safety officials, can continually improve. This includes increasing transparency in current practices and modernizing efforts to reflect advancements in effective tactics and policies from other areas.

We have dedicated professionals protecting our communities who are eager to succeed.

By committing to these improvements and maintaining open communication with the public, we can achieve these goals.

Eric Gray: What are your top priorities when it comes to environmental sustainability and climate change, and how do you plan to implement them locally?

Greg Wallis: Climate change is real, and its growing effects are threatening the health and safety of people in our communities.

We must commit now to targeted, proven investments to address this situation. That’s why I worked diligently on Proposition 4, the Climate Bond measure, and collaborated worked across the aisle and across the region to ensure millions of dollars included for local priorities including the Coachella Mountains Conservancy, Salton Sea mitigation, extreme heat mitigation and more.

This is a significant step, but only the beginning.

There is much more to do in developing promising technology solutions, and I am fully committed to supporting these efforts.

Eric Gray: Can you provide examples of how you’ve worked across the aisle with colleagues from different political parties to achieve common goals?

I worked with Coachella Valley Democrat Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia to secure a $1 million appropriation for Desert AIDS Project (DAP) Health of Palm Springs – DAP serves a diverse population in a variety of disciplines, including HIV care, primary care, women’s health and social programs that benefit some of desert’s most medically underserved residents. I also led a bipartisan group of legislators to support adding additional truck only lanes on the I-15 to help ease traffic congestion throughout our region. I have been laser focused on bipartisan pragmatic solutions and these are just a couple examples of what can be done when we work together.

Eric Gray: As you look ahead, what are your key priorities if elected for a second term, and what legacy do you hope to leave for the 47th Assembly District?

If elected for a second term, my key priorities will be tackling the high cost of living, improving public safety, and ensuring our children have access to better schools. Housing, energy, and grocery costs are too high, and our communities need to feel safer. I’ll continue working on solutions to make California more affordable, enhance safety throughout our district, and invest in quality education.

As for my legacy, I hope to leave behind a record of bipartisan cooperation that brought real, positive change. I want the 47th Assembly District to be a place where families thrive, costs are manageable, and our next generation is set up for success. I’m committed to making that vision a reality by focusing on
bipartisan pragmatic solutions that address today’s challenges and prepare us for a better future.

Incumbent Assemblymember Greg Wallis District 47