San Diego City Council Districts. Map Via City of San Diego
Today: Information on races in San Diego City Council Districts 2, 4, 6 & 8, but only two endorsements.
The OB Rag and San Diego Free Press are pleased to present part two of our 2018 Primary Election Progressive Voter Guide. As usual, we tried not to let perfect be the enemy of good in our decision making. This year we’re breaking it into parts to make it more digestible.
We endorsed (or didn’t) contests where editors and contributors had some working knowledge of the contests. Generally speaking, we didn’t endorse in non-competitive races with a Democratic incumbent (who you should probably vote for). Candidates with low fundraising totals or no campaign organization were not included.
Endorsements or lack thereof reflect a majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which includes: Brent Beltrán, Anna Daniels, Frank Gormlie, Patty Jones, Rich Kacmar, Annie Lane, and Doug Porter.
Democratic Candidates are Blue * Republican Candidates are Red
Many candidates names are linked to their websites.
An asterisk (*) next to a name indicates an incumbent.
Original photo by Slworking2 / Flickr
A Summary of Our City ?Endorsements?
(our endorsements have question marks around their names – why question marks? Because of a glitch in our graphics)
City Council District 2 – No Endorsement (See note)
City Council District 4 – Monica Montgomery
City Council District 6 – No Endorsement (See note)
City Council District 8 – Christian Ramirez
San Diego City Council
Even numbered City Council districts in San Diego are up for grabs in 2018, and the top two candidates making it past the June 5 primary will go on to the general election in November. Odd-numbered districts will vote on council persons in 2020.
City Council elections are technically non-partisan, meaning party affiliations don’t get listed on ballots. The council itself is partisan, with the political parties investing heavily in recent elections. The incumbent Republicans on the council are already backed with a total of $600,000 in PAC money for the coming election.
Note: We did not endorse candidates who sought and/or received the blessings of the San Diego Working Families Council (WFC). The argument about endorsements from this breakaway group reflecting the interests of its affiliated union’s members doesn’t hold water when you take into account the departure of the Service Employees Internation Union Local 221, which represents County of San Diego employees, from the Council. Their choice for a County Supervisor candidate was not respected, which leads us to conclude the WFC is really just a one-man (Mickey Kasparian) show.
District 2
We were unable to endorse a candidate in this District.
A coastal district with a majority Democratic voting base and a history of electing Republicans due to poor turnout by younger voters. The incumbent Republican in this race is Lorie Zapf. There is an Independent Expenditure committee that has amassed $300,000 from the Chamber of Commerce PAC and the Lincoln Club in support of Lori Zapf’s candidacy. Link to San Diego Free Press overview of the contests.
Jordan Beane
Facebook | Twitter | Endorsements | Issues Page
Analysis: Jordan Beane is young, progressive, and new to the politics game. The hard work he’s put into this campaign all-but-assures him a future on the local political scene.
Jennifer H. Campbell MD
Facebook | Twitter | Endorsements | Issues Page
Analysis: Dr. Jen Campbell is a long-time party activist who’s decided to run for office now that she’s retired. Her connections to local politicos and fundraising prowess are needed to overcome poor name recognition.
Bryan Pease
Facebook | Twitter | Endorsements | Issues Page
Analysis: Activist lawyer, environmentalist, and animal rights advocate Bryan Pease has the best name recognition of all the Democratic challengers. His platform includes advocacy for rent control. While we believed he was best on the issues that matter for District 2, the San Diego Free Press & OB Rag will not endorse candidates associated with the Working Families Council.
District 4
District 4 encompasses the Southeast part of the city. Winning candidates have been traditionally backed by a coalition of socially conservative Black pastors. SDFP Overview Article on District 4 There is no Republican challenger in District 4.
Neal Arthur
Facebook | Twitter | Issues Page
Analysis: Former chair of the San Diego Housing Commission Neal Arthur is running on his business acumen.
Myrtle Cole
Facebook | Twitter | Endorsements | Issues Page
Analysis: Incumbent Myrtle Cole is the African American woman elected to the San Diego City Council. Her endorsement from a Mickey Kasparian-led group has alienated some activists.
?Monica Montgomery?
Facebook | Twitter | Endorsements | Issues Page
Analysis: Attorney Monica Montgomery has experience as a policy advisor to some of San Diego’s biggest name politicos. She has gained traction by calling out incumbent Cole’s lack of interest in actually campaigning in her home district. She has energized a community activist coalition interested in challenging the status quo.
District 6
We were unable to endorse a candidate in this District.
District 6 encompasses the north-central part of the city. During the redistricting process in 2013, the boundaries were set in such a manner as to favor Asian-Americans. SDFP Overview Article on District 6.The incumbent Republican in this contest is Chris Cate. There is an Independent Expenditure committee that has amassed $300,000 from the Chamber of Commerce PAC and the Lincoln Club in support of Cate’s candidacy.
Tommy Hough
Facebook | Twitter | Endorsements | Issues Page
Analysis: Tommy Hough was a popular dj on progressive rock stations for many years and co-founded San Diego County Democrats for Environmental Action. While we believed he was best on the issues that matter for District 6, the San Diego Free Press & OB Rag will not endorse candidates associated with the Working Families Council.
Fayaz Nawabi Has dropped out due to health issues. We look to seeing him involved in San Diego politics in the future.
District 8
District 8 includes communities in the southern part of the city and is split in half by the cities of Chula Vista and National City. More than 75 percent of the District 8 population lives in the southern section, more than two-thirds of the population is Hispanic. Republicans are an endangered species in this district and elections are often reflective of historical divisions in the community.
There is no Republican challenger in District 8.
Antonio Martinez
Facebook | Twitter | Endorsements | Issues Page
Analysis: San Ysidro School Board member Antonio Martinez started campaigning early for this seat and has won much of the Latino/liberal establishment’s support. His endorsement from a Mickey Kasparian-led group has alienated some activists. The San Diego Free Press & OB Rag will not endorse candidates associated with his Working Families Council.
Vivian Moreno
Facebook | Twitter | Issues Page
Analysis: As termed-out Councilman Alvarez’s policy advisor, Vivian Moreno brings both her boss’s blessing and at least some of the perks of incumbency to this contest. Has a strong canvassing campaign underway.
?Christian Ramirez?
Facebook | Twitter | Issues Page
Analysis: Christian Ramirez is a nationally and internationally recognized spokesperson on immigration and border enforcement issues and has been outspoken in his opposition to the policies of the Trump administration. He has deep roots in the community and an admirable history of local activism.
Already Published:
Progressive Voter Guide for County of San Diego Elected Offices
A Summary of Our County ?Endorsements?
Judicial Office #37– Victor Torres
Assessor/Recorder/Clerk – Matt Strabone
Sheriff – Dave Myers
District Attorney – Geneviéve Jones-Wright
Board of Supervisors District 4 – Omar Passons
Board of Supervisors District 5 – Michelle Gomez
Community College Board – Maria Nieto Senour, Craig Milgrim, Rafael Perez
SD County Board of Education – Alicia Munoz, Rick Shea
Upcoming:
Friday- Statewide Offices & Legislative Seats
Monday-Federal Offices, plus Ballot Measures
Tuesday: Voter Guide Crib Sheet (All Contests)
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Lol.
So if you ordered a cheeseburger… (tofuburger sorry) and the Working Families Council walked in behind you and ordered the same thing… you’d spit it out?
Be bold, not petty.
Im confused. You said that “We did not endorse candidates who sought and/or received the blessings of the San Diego Working Families Council (WFC).” In District 8 – Vivian Moreno was the only credible candidate that didn’t attend the WFC endorsement interviews, yet you endorsed Christian Ramirez who submitted a questionnaire and attended the interview. I understand he wasn’t actually endorsed, but going through the interview process sure seems to eliminate him based on your WFC qualifier. I believe, as a matter of consistency you should have endorsed Vivian Moreno.
I’m a Democrat candidate for San Diego City Council, District 6–and I did NOT seek the endorsement of the WFC.
I would never seek or accept the support of a group run by someone facing so many credible allegations of abusing women. In fact, I entered politics after leading the fight for transparency over a child sexual abuse cover-up in Balboa Park–and I’m currently fighting the City in court for documents related to that cover up. Google me and you’ll see that I’m the only candidate in this race who has taken a strong stand against corruption even when it’s not politically expedient.
–Matt Valenti