California’s Assembly District 47 stretches across Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, encompassing the cities of Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Yucaipa, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and the town of Yucca Valley, along with portions of Redlands, Highland, and San Jacinto.

A significant portion of the district lies within the Coachella Valley, where tourism, housing affordability, infrastructure strain, and seasonal population swings shape local politics.

Palm Springs remains internationally associated with mid century modern architecture, including Twin Palms, also known as the Frank Sinatra House, designed by E. Stewart Williams in the Movie Colony East neighborhood.

To the east, Joshua Tree National Park anchors the district’s environmental and cultural identity. First protected through the advocacy of Pasadena resident Minerva Hoyt, the area was designated a national monument in 1936 and elevated to national park status in 1994. Today, the park spans more than 790,000 acres, protects hundreds of archaeological and historic sites, and supports a tourism economy critical to surrounding communities.

Demographics, Housing, and Cost of Living

According to the 2023 American Community Survey, Assembly District 47 has a population of 523,318. The district is 48.5% White, 39.3% Latino, 3.8% Black, and 4.4% Asian. About 16.9% of residents are foreign-born, and 7.2% are non-citizens. The citizen voting age population is 72.6%.

Economic indicators reflect both growth and strain. The median household income is $78,451, with a mean household income of $114,772 and a per capita income of $45,665. Approximately 12.8% of residents live below the poverty line. About 6.5% lack health insurance, and 11.6% receive food assistance.

Housing is predominantly owner-occupied at 70.7%, while 29.3% of homes are renter-occupied. The median home value is $450,800, and the median monthly rent is $1,542.

The district is home to 29,537 civilian veterans, representing 7.1% of the population.

Registration Trends and the Power of Independents

As of October 2025, Assembly District 47 had 334,356 registered voters. Democrats accounted for 38.7%, Republicans for 33.8%, and No Party Preference voters for 19.2%, with the remainder affiliated with minor parties. While Democrats hold a modest registration advantage of roughly 5%, the steady growth of No Party Preference and other third-party registrants has repeatedly determined election outcomes.

Past Election Results Show Persistent Volatility

The district has swung between the two major political parties at the statewide level. Joe Biden carried the district by 6.56% in 2020, while Kamala Harris won it by 4% in 2024. Adam Schiff carried the district by just 1% in the 2024 U.S. Senate race. Governor Gavin Newsom lost the district narrowly in 2018 but won it by 2% in 2022.

At the Assembly level, Republican Greg Wallis narrowly defeated Democrat Christy Holstege by 85 votes in 2022 and again by 5,534 votes in 2024, despite Harris and Schiff both carrying the district in the latter election. Voter turnout in November 2024 reached an impressive 72%.

Incumbent Greg Wallis

Republican Greg Wallis was first elected to the State Assembly in 2022. Born May 15, 1990 in Southern California, he resides in Bermuda Dunes. He is a third-generation Californian.

Before entering the Legislature, Wallis served as district director for Assemblymember Chad Mayes beginning in 2014.

Earlier in his career, he worked as campaign manager for Brian Nestande’s congressional bid and as executive director of the Inland Empire Taxpayers Association, according to public records and his LinkedIn profile.

During the 2023 to 2024 legislative session, Wallis introduced 37 bills, five of which were signed into law. Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed one measure.

Among the bills enacted was AB 2111, which prohibits altering a license plate to prevent identification.

Wallis also authored bipartisan legislation extending California’s electric vehicle carpool lane decal program through January 1, 2027, contingent on federal authorization.

In early 2025, Wallis was the only Republican Assemblymember to vote for Governor Newsom’s $180 million wildfire prevention funding package.

He also joined Republican and Democratic lawmakers in signing a letter led by State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, urging President Donald Trump to consider expedited work permits for undocumented essential workers, including farmworkers.

According to CalMatters’ legislative tracker, Wallis is classified as “Moderate Right.”

His website says he is a proud member of the Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.

Wallis is a strong supporter of same sex marriage and is pro-choice. He helped secure funding to rebuild a Palm Springs fertility clinic damaged in a May bombing.

On social issues, Wallis received 73% from Equality California, 75% from NARAL Pro Choice California, and 100% from Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.

Wallis earned a 100% rating from the California Chamber of Commerce in 2023, while receiving 36% from the ACLU and 29% from the Alliance for Retired Americans.

Organized labor groups gave him low marks, including 28% from the California Labor Federation, both annually and lifetime, and 0% from UFCW.

Environmental organizations were similarly critical, with 0% scores from the California Environmental Justice Alliance and Sierra Club California, and 12% ratings from the California League of Conservation Voters.

Gun rights groups rated him favorably, with the National Rifle Association awarding a 67% score in 2024.

In an interview with the San Bernardino Sun in December 2025, Wallis said his district is “a mix of Republicans, Democrats, and independent voters who value results over party.”

“Given that Sacramento Democrats have spent millions against me each election, I’m sure they will do so again,” Wallis said. “The truth is that they and their special interest allies have basically unlimited funds. So, I assume they will keep trying to unseat me, and I will focus my time and effort on doing the right thing for local people. That’s how I get re-elected because I’ll work with anyone, regardless of their party, to get things done.”

Wallis and his high school sweetheart, Desiree, have two dogs, Gunner and Harley.

Jason Byors

Democrat Jason Byors is a Cathedral City resident and software engineer who owns and operates a computer consultancy. Born January 24, 1971, Byors lives with his partner, JR. According to his campaign website, he grew up in a working-class household led by a single mother who worked multiple jobs to support him and his younger brother.

Byors graduated summa cum laude from Babson College and built a career in software engineering for companies including Sony Pictures, Toyota, Pioneer Electronics, Twentieth Century Fox, and municipal governments in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. He currently operates his own small business as an independent contractor.

Byors initially filed to run for Congress in the 41st District before switching to the Assembly District 47 race. Reporting by The Desert Sun in September 2025 noted that Democratic leaders encouraged the move amid redistricting uncertainty.

“The reason that I got into this race was to be a voice to speak out against what’s going on in Washington,” Byors told The Desert Sun. “I thought if I go and beat Greg Wallis, and I go to Sacramento, I could work on bills that would affect people’s lives here.”

He added, “I feel like we are losing our democracy. Anything I can do to stand up and defend our democracy, I’m going to do.”

Byors has emphasized healthcare access, human rights, and affordability. He publicly supported Kaiser Permanente workers represented by United Steelworkers Local 7600 in October 2025 and attended anti-ICE protests in January 2026.

He has endorsed Proposition 50 and received national attention through USA Today.

Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson endorsed Byors, telling The Desert Sun, “Jason isn’t in this for headlines; he is in this for working families. He knows the struggles people face. He is the right choice for this district.”

Lucas Pinon

Democrat Lucas Pinon, born May 18, 1990, is a Palm Desert resident and director of special projects for Congressman Raul Ruiz. Raised by a single mother in a farmworker family, he grew up in Palm Desert and graduated from Palm Desert High School.

Pinon attended the College of the Desert Public Safety Academy before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. He served overseas in Security Forces and deployed to Afghanistan, providing security for pilots and drone operators.

After returning home, Pinon continued his education, earning a bachelor’s degree in history from UCLA. He worked as an organizer for United Teachers of Los Angeles before joining Rep. Ruiz’s office as a field representative and later director of special projects.

“As a veteran myself, that’s how I got involved with the congressman’s office,” Pinon told the Needles Desert Star in 2024, describing his research on the PACT Act. “As a veteran and all the veterans per capita that we have in our district, it’s a huge impact.”

“I learned the value of service before self in the Air Force, and that principle guides everything I do,” Pinon said in a prepared statement shared with The Desert Sun.

“I’m running for State Assembly because our communities deserve a fighter in Sacramento who will put people ahead of politics and corporate special interests and deliver results for a change.”

His campaign website says Pinon was heavily influenced by his maternal grandfather, Alfredo Figueroa, describing him as a legendary civil rights leader who organized for Cesar Chavez.

Pinon is endorsed by Representatives Raul Ruiz and Juan Vargas, as well as Desert Hot Springs Councilmember Gary Gardner, Palm Desert Councilmember Karina Quintanilla, and Palm Springs Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein.

“It is an honor to have support from leaders throughout this district,” Pinon said. “I’m looking forward to speaking to people and outlining my passion for service, my experience delivering results, and my vision for everyone to have the opportunity to get ahead.”

He lives in Palm Desert with his wife, Gloria, and their two children.

Leila Namvar

Democrat Leila Namvar, born August 4, 1972, is a La Quinta resident and public arts program analyst for the City of Indio. Born and educated in Iran, Namvar previously worked in urban planning in Tehran. According to a 2006 Desert Sun profile, she first applied for permission to immigrate to the United States in 1983 and waited nearly two decades before legally arriving in Southern California in 2002.

Namvar initially worked outside her field despite holding multiple degrees, including one in architecture. She worked as a cashier at a movie theater, as a lab assistant with the Red Cross, and as a planning technician with the City of Indio starting in late 2005, according to The Desert Sun.

“There were times she worked three jobs just to get by, while attending college at night to learn English,” according to her campaign website.

Namvar became a U.S. citizen by naturalization in 2008 and later earned a master’s degree in public administration. She has worked as an urban planner and now oversees Indio’s public arts programming. A September 2025 report by The Desert Sun noted her role in shaping Indio’s general plan and downtown housing density framework.

Namvar previously served as president of SEIU Local 721 representing Indio city employees. Her campaign website says she led contract negotiations three times, “never backing down from having hard conversations and standing up to powerful interests when the stakes were high.”

Announcing her Assembly bid, she told The Desert Sun, “When I came here, I really believed in the American dream. But I think it’s slipping away from too many.” She has emphasized affordable housing, environmental justice, and access to healthcare and education as campaign priorities.

A Familiar Pattern Heading Into 2026

According to the California Target Book, Assembly District 47 is again expected to be one of the most competitive legislative races in the state. Independent expenditures exceeded $2.5 million in 2024, with party committees and outside groups heavily involved.

With a closely divided electorate and nearly one in five voters registered with No Party Preference, Assembly District 47 once again appears poised to hinge on independent voters in 2026.

About the 2026 California Top Two Primary

The last day to register to vote for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election is May 18, 2026. All active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot. Ballots will begin mailing on May 4, and drop-off locations will open on May 5. Early in-person voting begins May 23 in Voter’s Choice Act counties. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by June 9.

Source Notes

This article draws on publicly available information from the California Secretary of State, CalMatters, the California Target Book, Ballotpedia, California FPPC campaign finance filings, The Desert Sun, the San Bernardino Sun, USA Today, the Needles Desert Star, individual candidate websites and social media accounts, and other local and regional reporting.