So Far 3 Challengers Set to Run Against Zapf for District 2

So Far 3 Challengers Set to Run Against Zapf for District 2

At this point, there are 3 challengers to Councilwoman Lorie Zapf for the next election for the District 2 seat. Bay Ho resident Daniel Smiechowski, Jordan Beane, and Bryan Pease have all cast their hats into the ring for the district that includes Ocean Beach, Point Loma and much of the beach area, plus some area just east of Interstate 5.

“Centrist” Democrat Smiechowski, 63, is described as working in real estate and a longtime community volunteer. “I’ve been in this district for 50 years,” he told the press.

He told the press that he supports San Diego being a “sanctuary city” and backs short-term vacation rentals.“We don’t want development that isn’t smart development,” Smiechowski said. “We want development that benefits the community, in affordable housing and housing the homeless.”

Jordan Beane has been reportedly politically active in the PB Town Council, as well as various Democratic Party groups, including an environmental club. He’s familiar to Chargers fans for his videos, blog posts and co-hosting an in-house show, Chargers.com. Times of San Diego

Lawyer Bryan Pease has also declared his intention to run against Zapf.  Pease is well-known in activist circles for his animal rights work, particularly around the harbor seals in La Jolla; President of the Animal Protection and Rescue League, he once ran a shop on Newport Avenue whose profits were funneled into that group.  He has served as a board member of the OB People’s Market, and is an elected member of the San Diego County Democratic Party Central Committee. Fox5

Pease is also representing the NAACP in a lawsuit against the El Cajon Police Department and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department stemming from arrests of people in vigils s in the wake of the Alfred Olango shooting last year. He told the press that his priorities include “environmental protection, ending chronic homeless, increasing housing affordability and public safety.” Pease has run in a number of local elections, including most recently the San Diego City Attorney’s race – he didn’t make it past the Primary.  By our count, this would be his third attempt to run for a City Council seat.

Other candidates are out there in the wings, presumably. Ed Harris – who once sat in the District 2 seat for a period – taking over Faulconer’s term representing the district – has plenty of time to think about running again. Harris is currently embroiled with the City over new protocols and rescue call routing that Harris says are dangerous and a waste of resources; he represents the Lifeguard union.

There’s also Gretchen Newsom, currently president of the OB Town Council, raking in plenty of experience with her own full-time job working for a local labor union. She was runner-up during the appointment process for Faulconer’s District 2 seat. Both Harris and Newsom are progressive Democrats.

Sarah Boot, another progressive Democrat, once ran for the District 2 seat – but really, has not been seen in the district since.

It’s presumed that Zapf, a Republican, will run again – and if she does, she’ll be in her second and final term in the district. The next election will be the Primary in June 2018.