San Diego Progressive Voter Guide – 2018 General Election

Here is the Progressive Voter Guide for the 2018 General Election in San Diego County, published by the San Diego Free Press and now republished by the OB Rag. A few words about our process are in order. The OB Rag and the San Diego Free Press are online siblings. The OB Rag has been publishing since October 26, 2007, and the SDFP, as an all-volunteer group, has been publishing daily since June 4, 2012.

A commitment to activism and progressive politics is what drives our dedication to these projects. We’ve been researching the candidates and causes on the general election ballot for the past 18 months. You can see the various articles the SDFP has published at our archive of 2018 election coverage.

The editorial board includes Brent Beltrán, Anna Daniels, Frank Gormlie, Patty Jones, Rich Kacmar, Annie Lane, and Doug Porter. We met on September 24 to vote on endorsements, starting out by acknowledging that the country is in dire straights these days. We feel this election is about triaging the damage already done as much as it is about building a better future.

Another factor differentiating this year’s evaluations was something I’ll call the Kavanaugh caveat. In situations where all things were close to equal from a policy perspective, we defaulted to the women running for office.

In keeping with this pro-woman policy, we also refused to endorse candidates supported by Mickey Kasparian’s Working Families Council. Although the lawsuits against him by Las Tres Hermanas are settled, we cannot ignore the stain and the pain inflicted on local politics and progressive allies by this organization, along with the symbiotic relationship they forged in the primary with the scummy smear-mongers at the Lincoln Club.

We know (and regret) that there are many candidates who should be on this list but aren’t. We just didn’t have the resources to cover all of the nearly 700 contests in San Diego County.

Every candidate with this mark Æ (not a checkmark) beside their name means that the candidate is acceptable. Some candidates were, in our opinion, better than others, so we endorsed them to let you know how we felt.

Not all endorsements were unanimous. And we’re okay with that.

Because some candidates have dozens and dozens of endorsements, we opted to include only those that we thought were the most important ones. Clicking on the link embedded in the word ‘endorsements’ will take you to a larger list. (Except when the candidate doesn’t have any to show or chose not to include them on their website.)

We will be publishing a handy-dandy cheat sheet in the next couple of days. If you need to know who and what will be on the ballot you’re going to cast, view your sample ballot here by plugging in your address. Here’s the link to register to vote (October 20th is the deadline) Not sure if you’re registered? Check here.

US Senate

Dianne Feinstein – Incumbent Democrat
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements PP, EC, SDFP

Kevin De Leon –Democrat, President pro Tempore of the California State Senate
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements LC, Dems, Æ

Comment: The editorial board split–Feinstein won 5 – 2. We know she is a tool of the military-industrial complex. For now anyway, she’s in a better position to inflict damage on the Trump agenda.

House of Representatives

District 49

Mike Levin – Democrat, Environmental Attorney
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements SC, EC, Dems, MO, PP, SDFP
Running against Republican Diane Harkey

District 50

Ammar Campa-Najjar – Democrat, Small Business Owner
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements EC, LC, OR, Dems, SDFP
Running against Republican Duncan Hunter

District 51

Juan Vargas – Democratic Incumbent
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements EC, SC, LC, PP, Dems, Æ
Running against Republican Juan Hidalgo

District 52

Scott Peters – Democratic Incumbent
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements SC, EC, PP, Dems, Æ
Running against Republican Omar Qudrat

District 53

Susan Davis – Democratic Incumbent
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements SC, EC, PP, Dems, Æ
Running against Republican Morgan Murtaugh

Statewide Offices

Governor

Gavin Newsom – Democrat, Lt. Governor of California
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements SC, LC, EC, Dems, Æ
Running against Republican John Cox

Lt. Governor
Two Democrats Running

Ed Hernandez – Democrat, California State Senator
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements LC, PP, Æ

Eleni Kounalaki – Democrat, Businesswoman, former US Ambassador to Hungary
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements: EC, Æ

Attorney General

Xavier Becerra – Democrat, California Attorney General
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements SC, LC, PP, Dems, Æ
Running against Republican Steven Bailey

Controller 

Betty T. Yee – Democrat, State Controller
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements SC, LC, MO, PP, Dems, Æ
Running against Republican Konstantinos Roditis

Treasurer

Fiona Ma – Democrat, California State Board of Equalization
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements LC, PP, DEMS, SDFP
Running against Republican Greg Conlon

Secretary of State

Alex Padilla – Democrat, California Secretary of State
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements SC, LC, PP, Dems, Æ
Running against Republican Mark P. Meuser

Insurance Commissioner

Ricardo Lara – Democrat, State Senator
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements SC, LC, PP, Dems, SDFP
Running against Independent Steve Poizner

California Superintendent of Public Instruction 

Tony Thurmond – Democrat, State Assemblymember
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements SC, EC, PP, Dems, LC, SDFP
Running against pro-charter Democrat Marshall Tuck

State Senate

District 36

Marggie Castellano – Democrat, TV Producer
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements EC, Dems, MO, SDFP
Running Against Republican Incumbent Pat Bates

District 38

Jeff Griffith – Democrat,Fire Captain
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements LC, Dems, SDFP
Running Against Republican Incumbent Brian Jones

District 40

Ben Hueso -Democrat, Incumbent State Senator
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements LC, Dems, Æ
Running Against Republican Luis R Vargas

State Assembly

District 71

James Elia – Democrat, Non-profit Executive
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements LC, OR, Dems, SDFP
Running Against Republican Randy Voepel

District 75

Alan L. Geraci – Democrat, Consumer Attorney
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements Dems, SDFP
Running Against Republican Marie Waldron

District 76
Two Democrats Running

Tasha Boerner Horvath – Democrat, Encinitas City Council Member
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements EC, SC, LC, PP, Dems, Æ

Elizabeth Warren – Democrat, MoveOn Activist
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements MO Æ

District 77

Sunday Gover – Democrat, Small Business Owner
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements EC, SC, Dems, MO, PP, SDFP
Running Against Republican Brian Maienschein

District 78

Todd Gloria – Democrat, Incumbent Assemblymember
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements SC, LC, PP, Dems, Æ
Running Against Republican Maggie Campbell

District 79

Shirley Weber – Democrat, Incumbent Assemblymember
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements EC, PP, Dems, SDFP
Running Against Republican John Moore

District 80

Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher – Democrat, Incumbent Assemblymember
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements EC, SC, LC, Dems, PP, SDFP
Running Against Republican Lincoln Pickard

San Diego Superior Court

Office 37

Matt Brower – Democrat, Deputy District Attorney
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements SC, LC, Dems, SDFP
Running Against Republican Gary Kreep ?

Board of Supervisors

District 4

Nathan Fletcher – Democrat, Former Assemblymember
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements SC, LC, PP, Dems, SDFP
Running Against Republican Bonnie Dumanis

District 5

Michelle Gomez – Democrat, Legislative Analyst
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements SC, LC, Dems, SDFP
Running Against Republican Jim Desmond

San Diego Community College Board

District A

Maria Nieto Senour – Democrat, Incumbent Trustee
Website
Endorsements LC, PP, Dems, SDFP
Running Against Republican Diane Hickman

District C

Craig Milgrim – Democrat, Community College Professor
Website
Endorsements LC, Dems, Æ
Running Against Republican Loren Seth Casuto

District E
Two Democrats Running

Sean Elo – Democrat, Non-profit Administrator
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements Dems, PP, Æ

David Alvarez -Democrat, City Councilman
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements: LC, SDFP

San Diego City Council

District 2

Jennifer H. Campbell – Democrat, Physician
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements SC, EC, PP, LC, Dems, SDFP
Running Against Republican Lorie Zapf

District 4
Two Democrats Running

Monica Montgomery – Democrat, ACLU Attorney
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements OR, SDFP

Myrtle Cole – Democrat, Incumbent Councilmember
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements LC, Dems

District 6

Tommy Hough – Democrat, Environmental Activist
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements SC, LC, Dems, SDFP
Running Against Republican Chris Cate

District 8
Two Democrats Running

Vivian Moreno – Democrat, Policy Advisor to Councilman David Alvarez
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements Æ

Antonio Martinez – Democrat, San Ysidro School Board Member
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Endorsements PP, Dems, Æ

Comment: The editorial board could not come to a consensus. Both candidates are generally progressive. Both have “issues” we could not abide by.

Endorsed Candidates for Other Cities in San Diego County

Carlsbad

Mayor
Cori Schumacher
Endorsed by: SC, PP, Dems, SDFP

City Council District 1
Barbara Hamilton
Endorsed by: SC, PP, Dems, SDFP

City Council District 3
Priya Bhat Patel
Endorsed by: SC, Dems, SDFP

Chula Vista

City Attorney
Andrew Deddeh
Endorsed by: Dems, Æ

City Council District 1
Mark Bartlett
Endorsed by LC, Dems, SDFP

Encinitas

Mayor
Catherine Blakespear
Endorsed by: SC, PP, Dems, SDFP

City Council District 3
Jody Hubbard
Endorsed by: SC, PP, Dems, SDFP

City Council District 4
Joe Mosca
Endorsed by: SC, PP, Dems, SDFP

Escondido

Mayor
Paul “Mac” McNamara
Endorsed by: Dems Æ

City Council District 1
Consuelo Martinez
Endorsed by: SC, PP, Dems, SDFP

City Council District 2
Vanessa Valenzuela
Endorsed by: Dems, SDFP

Imperial Beach

Mayor
Serge Dedina
Endorsed by: Dems, SDFP

City Council (2 seats)
Ed Spriggs
Endorsed By: SC, PP, Dems, SDFP

City Council (2 seats)
Paloma Aguirre
Endorsed by: SC, Dems, SDFP

La Mesa

City Council (2 seats)
Dr. Akilah Weber
Endorsed by: PP, Dems, SDFP

City Council (2 seats)
Dave Myers
Endorsed by; Dems, SDFP

National City

Mayor
Alejandra Sotelo-Solis
Endorsed by: PP, Dems, SDFP

City Council (2 seats)
Mona Rios
Endorsed by: Dems, SDFP

City Council (2 seats)
Jose Rodriguez
Endorsed by: PP, Dems, SDFP

Vista

City Council District 1
Corinna Contreras
Endorsed by: Dems, OR, SDFP

City Council District 4
Tazheen Nizam
Endorsed by: Dems, SDFP

Propositions & Measures 

County of San Diego

Measure A
Authorizing Assorted Clean Up Amendments to County Charter to update it
“Shall the Charter of the County of San Diego be amended for purposes of making “clean-up” amendments including amendments necessary to assure compliance with state and federal laws?”

Comment: Contrary to reports saying Measure A was an open-ended ordinance requiring obedience to any Trump administration decrees, it’s really about changing the way ballots are handled for overseas/military voters in special elections. There is also some language about the chain of command in firefighting to bring it into sync with State law.

Measure B
Preserving Balanced Representation in Unincorporated Areas
“Should the Charter of San Diego County be amended to direct a redistricting commission to maintain the current practice of establishing representative boundaries where at least three Board of Supervisor districts include unincorporated territory, with two of the districts having area predominately outside incorporated cities, as population will permit?”

Comment: Two incumbent County Supervisors, with no analysis or input from the public, have created a proposal designed to force the redistricting commission to draw gerrymandered County Supervisor district lines after the 2020 census. It’s a desperate attempt to preserve the status quo.

Measure C
Protecting Good Government Through Sound Fiscal Practices
“Should the Charter of San Diego County be amended to require pension stabilization funds be used solely for pension-related liabilities and prohibit using long-term obligations to finance current operations or recurring needs? “

Comment: By limiting the County’s ability to borrow, even for emergency purposes, Measure C could jeopardize crucial services such as emergency response. It’s another measure aimed at forcing future supervisors to follow the dictates of those currently in power.

Measure D
Top Two Primary Candidates Must Advance to General Election
“Shall this initiative measure, proposing county charter amendments requiring all elections for San Diego County elective Offices to be held at a general election and requiring adoption of local regulations relating to write-in candidates for county elective office, be adopted?”

Comment: This is about using the same top-two runoff process used to elect the Governor, state legislators, and members of Congress, eliminating confusion caused by using a different process for city elections. There is a committee (Yes on D / More Voters, Better Decisions) advocating for passage of the Full Voter Participation Act. Website | Facebook | Supporters. The San Diego Republican Party is opposing the measure.

San Diego City Measures

Measure E
Mission Valley Stadium – SOCCER CITY INITIATIVE
“Shall the City lease Mission Valley stadium property and the San Diego Chargers practice facility on Murphy Canyon Road to a private party for 99 years, with an option to buy some stadium property, consistent with price, terms, and conditions described in the measure; and adopt a specific plan and agreement allowing development of stadium, river park, recreational, residential, office, hotel, retail, and other uses; and amend related land use laws? Supporters: Measure E is For Everyone | Opponents: No On Soccer City

Measure G
Mission Valley Stadium – SDSU WEST INITIATIVE
“Shall the City sell Mission Valley stadium property to San Diego State University or any SDSU auxiliary organization, entity, or affiliate, consistent with price, terms, and conditions described in the measure, to allow the California State University Board of Trustees to determine its development, which may include stadium, recreational, educational, residential, office, hotel, retail, and other uses; and if sold, shall the City set aside adjacent land for a river park? Supporters: Yes On G – Grow SDSU | Opponents: Fact Check Measure G

Comment on E & G: Measure E is a real estate deal with some public interest trimmings, papered over with a promise to restore the city’s pride via a soccer team since our football team moved away. It’s amazing that the same folks who opposed Cory Brigg’s idea for a downtown/convention center measure because it was too long (less than 100 pages) haven’t made a big deal about the 3,000+ pages covering Measure E.

Measure G is a real estate deal with (perhaps) a few more public interest trimmings, papered over with the promise of expanding San Diego State University, supported by a wide range of (mostly) good folks. But…

“The tyranny of now” is how urban designer Howard Blackson described the urgency of the movement to get “something done” about the largest piece of undeveloped publicly owned land in the area. SDSU should expand onto some of this land. Not passing Measure G doesn’t close the door on that opportunity. The process may take longer, but this land is ours and there is a better vetting process than either of these concepts offered.

Vote Yes on City Measures H thru N – There is no opposition, and no need to argue against these City Council-approved measures, given the many other things on the ballot worthy of having a strong opinion on.
H –Term Limits for School Board Members –
J – Mandatory Disclosure of Business Interest for City Contracts
K – Terms Limits for Council Seats Apply Even Thru Redistricting
L – Ethics and Compensation for Elected City Officials
M – New Rule for Reappointing Audit Committee Members
N – Reinstatement of Industrial Disability Retirement for Police Officers

State of California Propositions

(Most measures put on the ballot by the legislature don’t have much formal opposition)

Proposition 1
Build More Housing
Authorizes Bonds to Fund Specified Housing Assistance Programs. Legislative Statute (Put on the Ballot by the Legislature)
“Authorizes $4 billion in general obligation bonds for existing affordable housing programs for low-income residents, veterans, farmworkers, manufactured and mobile homes, infill, and transit-oriented housing. Fiscal Impact: Increased state costs to repay bonds averaging about $170 million annually over the next 35 years. Supporters: Affordable Housing Now | No organized opposition

Proposition 2
Fund Housing for Mentally Ill Humans
Authorizes Bonds to Fund Existing Housing Program for Individuals With Mental Illness. (Put on the Ballot by the Legislature)
“Amends Mental Health Services Act to fund No Place Like Home Program, which finances housing for individuals with mental illness. Ratifies existing law establishing the No Place Like Home Program. Fiscal Impact: Allows the state to use up to $140 million per year of county mental health funds to repay up to $2 billion in bonds. These bonds would fund housing for those with mental illness who are homeless.” Supporters: Affordable Housing Now | No organized opposition

Proposition 3
Another Water Bond
Authorizes Bonds to Fund Projects for Water Supply and Quality, Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Water Conveyance, and Groundwater Sustainability and Storage. Initiative Statute. (Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures)
“Authorizes $8.877 billion in state general obligation bonds for various infrastructure projects. Fiscal Impact: Increased state costs to repay bonds averaging $430 million per year over 40 years. Local government savings for water-related projects, likely averaging a couple hundred million dollars annually over the next few decades.” Supporters: Californians for Safe Water & A Clean & Reliable Water Supply | Opponents: Vote No on Proposition 3 (Sierra Club opposes b/c $750 million goes to private interests)

Proposition 4
Build Children’s Hospitals
Authorizes Bonds Funding Construction at Hospitals Providing Children’s Health Care. Initiative Statute. (Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures)
“Authorizes $1.5 billion in bonds, to be repaid from state’s General Fund, to fund grants for construction, expansion, renovation, and equipping of qualifying children’s hospitals. Fiscal Impact: Increased state costs to repay bonds averaging about $80 million annually over the next 35 years.” Supporters: Yes 4 Children’s Hospitals | Opponents: No formal opposition, but the Howard Jarvis Tax assholes are against it.

Proposition 5
A Baby Boomer Tax Loophole in Prop 13
Changes Requirements for Certain Property Owners to Transfer their Property Tax Base to Replacement Property. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute (Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures)
“Removes certain transfer requirements for homeowners over 55, severely disabled homeowners, and contaminated or disaster-destroyed property. Fiscal Impact: Schools and local governments each would lose over $100 million in annual property taxes early on, growing to about $1 billion per year. Similar increase in state costs to backfill school property tax losses.” Supporters: Yes on Prop 5 | Opponents: No on Prop 5

Comment: A giveaway to people who don’t need it at the expense of those who do. Funded by real estate interests looking for more commissions on sales.

Proposition 6
Potholes Are Good for You and Other Free Market Fantasies (Gas Tax)
Eliminates Certain Road Repair and Transportation Funding. Requires Certain Fuel Taxes and Vehicle Fees be Approved by The Electorate. Initiative Constitutional Amendment (Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures)
“Repeals a 2017 transportation law’s taxes and fees designated for road repairs and public transportation. Fiscal Impact: Reduced ongoing revenues of $5.1 billion from state fuel and vehicle taxes that mainly would have paid for highway and road maintenance and repairs, as well as transit programs.”
Supporters: Yes on Prop 6, Repeal the Gas Tax | Opponents: No on Prop 6: Stop the Attack on Bridge & Road Safety

Comment: Organized in part by Carl DeMaio. This was supposed to drive GOP turnout. Need we say more?

Proposition 7
A Daylight Daydream
Conforms California Daylight Saving Time to Federal Law. Allows Legislature to Change Daylight Saving Time Period. Legislative Statute. (Put on the Ballot by the Legislature)
“Gives Legislature ability to change daylight saving time period by two-thirds vote, if changes are consistent with federal law. Fiscal Impact: This measure has no direct fiscal effect because changes to daylight saving time would depend on future actions by the Legislature and potentially the federal government.”

Comment: Note the big IF, as in IF the feds approve. Maybe Mitch McConnell will not be a jerk. But I don’t think so. No Formal opposition

Proposition 8
Regulates Profits for Corporate Dialysis Clinics
Regulates Amounts Outpatient Kidney Dialysis Clinics Charge for Dialysis Treatment. Initiative Statute. (Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures)
“Requires rebates and penalties if charges exceed limit. Requires annual reporting to the state. Prohibits clinics from refusing to treat patients based on payment source. Fiscal Impact: Overall annual effect on state and local governments ranging from net positive impact in the low tens of millions of dollars to net negative impact in the tens of millions of dollars.” Supporters: Californians for Kidney Dialysis Patient Protection | Opponents: California Dialysis Council

Ballotpedia Quote: Proposition 8 establishes a new front in the conflict between the SEIU-UHW West, a labor organization, and the state’s two largest dialysis businesses DaVita and Fresenius Medical Care. The SEIU-UHW West said workers at dialysis clinics have been attempting to unionize since 2016, but that their employers were retaliating against pro-union employees

9 – There ain’t no prop nine. —Dance Break!— (This was the split-CA-into-three-states billionaire vanity project)

Proposition 10
Can We Even Talk about Rent Control?
Expands Local Governments’ Authority to Enact Rent Control on Residential Property. Initiative Statute (Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures)
“Repeals state law that currently restricts the scope of rent control policies that cities and other local jurisdictions may impose on residential property. Fiscal Impact: Potential net reduction in state and local revenues of tens of millions of dollars per year in the long term. Depending on actions by local communities, revenue losses could be less or considerably more.” Supporters: Coalition for Affordable Housing Opponents: No on Prop 10

Comment: This will get buried in real estate money because the corporations buying and building apartment complexes don’t want to be bothered with local control. (Even though this would repeal a law already on the books, it defenders come from the same mentality as those using state legislatures to quash local minimum wage increases.) California has a one-size-fits-all law. This would change that. There aren’t many politicians who dare to say no to land barons, whether they’re local or multinational, so this will be opposed by many people who should know better.

Proposition 11
Ambulance Company Wants to Write Labor Law at the Ballot Box
Requires Private-Sector Emergency Ambulance Employees to Remain On-Call During Work Breaks. Eliminates Certain Employer Liability. Initiative Statute. (Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures)
“Law entitling hourly employees to breaks without being on-call would not apply to private-sector ambulance employees. Fiscal Impact: Likely fiscal benefit to local governments (in the form of lower costs and higher revenues), potentially in the tens of millions of dollars each year.” Supporters: Californians for Emergency Preparedness and Safet | Opponents: California Teachers Association

Comment: This is about the state’s biggest ambulance company going to the ballot box to stave off a workers rights lawsuit. Nobody opposes having EMT’s/drivers available for emergencies. The legislature was ready to pass a bill, but it died because they wouldn’t include language forgiving companies for past malfeasance.

Proposition 12
Specific Standards for Raising Animals We Eat
Establishes New Standards for Confinement of Specified Farm Animals; Bans Sale of Noncomplying Products. Initiative Statute. (Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures)
“Establishes minimum requirements for confining certain farm animals. Prohibits sales of meat and egg products from animals confined in a noncomplying manner. Fiscal Impact: Potential decrease in state income tax revenues from farm businesses, likely not more than several million dollars annually. State costs up to $10 million annually to enforce the measure.” Supporters: Prevent Cruelty California | Opponents: The Californians Against Cruelty, Cages, and Fraud

Comment: This is an incremental improvement, opposed by those who want to preserve the status quo and those who insist on all or nothing.

This was originally posted Oct. 10, 2018.