Candidate for
Council Member; City of Palm Desert

Jim obtained his Bachelor of Arts and Sciences Degree in Speech Communications with a split minor in Political Science and Religious Studies at the University of Arizona. He is also a graduate of the prestigious Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C..

Jim began his professional career as Press Secretary to Senator Barry Goldwater. Upon Goldwater's retirement, Jim was named by the Governor of Arizona as Director of International Trade where he oversaw the opening of the State's first foreign trade office in Taipei, Taiwan. In 1988, Jim was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as a Policy Advisor to the Interstate Commerce Commission where he served until entering law school.

Jim obtained his legal education at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law where he graduated with distinction and was inducted to the Order of the Coif for high attainment in the study of law.

Jim began practicing law in the desert in 1993. He is the founder and senior partner of the Palm Desert law firm of Ferguson & Bernheimer, which has a practice emphasis in civil litigation and government relations.

In November of 1997, Jim was elected to the Palm Desert City Council. Previously, Jim served as a member and then Chiarman of the Palm Desert Planning Commission. Jim's focus on the City Council is on public safety, economic development and neighborhood revitalization. On December 1, 2000, Jim was selected by his colleagues to serve as Mayor of the City of Palm Desert. Jim also serves as a Commissioner on the Cove Communities Services Commission representing the Cities of Palm Desert, Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage. During fiscal year 2001-2002 Jim served as Chairman of the Commission

Jim is 43 years old and is married to Madelin Zeiter Ferguson. Together they have three children: Alec, age 9; Michaela, age 7; and Jacqueline, age 2 ½.