Here is the OB Rag 2024 General Election Ballot Guide. Ballots began arriving in San Diego County mailboxes the week of October 7, while the first vote centers open October 26.
So, this is a guide to the major state and county candidates, issues and ballot measures in the election. (For some races and offices, there’s no need for discussion.) What we’re not covering are the school board and other-than-City of San Diego races, generally. (Our recommendations are next to the office or initiative listed.)
President – Kamala Harris
Senate – Adam Schiff -(D)
Adam Schiff, a 12-term Democratic Congressman from Burbank, is of course going after the seat held by the late Dianne Feinstein and is going against Republican Steve Garvey, a former Dodgers and Padres star who is seeking his first public office. Garvey is a two-time supporter of Trump. Note that you have to vote for your candidate twice — both to fill two months of Feinstein’s unfinished term, and then for the full six years beginning in January.
Congress
Incumbents Darrell Issa in the 48th District, *Scott Peters in the 50th District and *Juan Vargas in the 52nd District do not have serious opposition.
49th District – Mike Levin (D)
Three-term Congressman Mike Levin, a former environmental lawyer, faces Matt Gunderson, an Orange County auto dealer, for the second time in two general elections.
51st District – Sara Jacobs (D)
Two-term Congresswoman Sara Jacobs is opposed by Bill Wells, the conservative Republican mayor of El Cajon. Jacobs won the primary with 57% of the vote, but Wells has banged the pots on MAGA-related and traditional conservative issues, abortion rights (he’s agin it) immigration, crime and “non-citizen voting.” However, Jacobs has been an outstanding representative for the district and is very pro-choice — there’s no question here.
State Senate — Akilah Weber (D)
Democratic Assemblymember Akilah Weber is running for the coastal state Senate seat being vacated by Toni Atkins. Weber, who is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist, was elected in 2018 to the La Mesa City Council. She is the daughter of Secretary of State Shirley Weber. The Republican opposition in the race is Bob Divine, a retired Navy commander. In the primary, Weber received 61% of the vote to Divine’s 39%.
State Assembly
74th District – Chris Duncan (D)
The March primary was exceptional close but incumbent Laurie Davies, a Republican, beat Democrat Chris Duncan by just one percentage point. Davies operates an events planning business and served as mayor of Laguna Nigel, while Duncan is a former federal prosecutor and mayor of San Clemente. The 74th District stretches from Oceanside and Vista to Laguna Niguel.
75th District – Andrew Hayes (R)
This is a rare opportunity for others on the political spectrum to put MAGA Trumper Carl DeMaio in the dustbin of history by electing his moderate GOP opponent, Andrew Hayes. Hayes was the president of the Lakeside Union School District Board of Trustees and is endorsed by both the state and county Republican Party organizations. The 75th District sprawls out in East County.
76th District – Darshana Patel – (D)
Democrat Darshana Patel came in second in the Primary with 34.2%, splitting the non-GOP vote with another Democrat (who took 16.4% ). Republican Kristie Bruce-Lane received 49.6% in the primary and in 2022 lost to Democrat Brian Maienschein with 48.4% of the vote. Maienschein is now termed out and running for San Diego City Attorney. Patel is a research scientist and president of the Poway Unified School District board and Bruce-Lane is a businesswoman and Olivenhain water board member. The district is inland North County.
79th District — Lashae Sharp-Collins (D)
Two democrats are facing off in the 79th — which goes from southeast San Diego through Lemon Grove, Spring Valley and La Mesa to El Cajon. Lashae Sharp-Collins, a community engagement specialist for the San Diego County Office of Education is running against Colin Parent, a La Mesa City Council member and head of Circulate San Diego. Secretary of State Shirley Weber, who once represented the district, has endorsed Sharp-Collins. Rep. Scott Peters has endorsed Parent. Because of the role and influence Circulate San Diego has in San Diego politics and with its Mayor Todd Gloria, Parent has forever stained his reputation and integrity. Under Parent’s leadership, Circulate has pushed San Diego to dismantle its community planning groups and enact housing policies that are detrimental to its neighborhoods. And concentrically, Circulate supports that 23-story monstrosity being proposed for Pacific Beach.
77th District and 80th District
Incumbents Tasha Boerner (D) and David Alvarez (D) do not face serious challenges. In the 78th District, incumbent Chris Ward (D) is unopposed.
San Diego Unified School District
District A — Sabrina Bazzo
Incumbent Sabrina Bazzo, a healthcare educator, is endorsed by the county Democratic Party and elected leaders. She is up against Crystal Trull, a veteran educator, and backed by Amy Reichert, who inhabits the MAGA corners of San Diego Republicans, and gained infamy as a founder of ReOpen San Diego during the pandemic.
District D — Incumbent Richard Barrera is unopposed.
District E — Incumbent Sharon Whitehurst-Payne is unopposed.
Board of Supervisors
District 1 — Supervisor Nora Vargas
Vargas is currently chair of the Board of Supervisors, and has widespread support from California Democrat Party lawmakers and the San Diego business community. She does not face serious opposition from Alejandro Galicia, a Navy veteran and plumbing contractor — who does not appear to have a campaign website, for the District 1 seat in the South Bay. Vargas has done a creditable job as Board Chair since she took over in 2022 after Nathan Fletcher flamed out. She has a good grasp of critical South Bay issues, especially environmental pollution.
District 2 – Gina Jacobs
Incumbent Supervisor Joel Anderson, a moderate Republican, is up against newcomer Gina Jacobs, a Democrat. The district covers most of East County. Former state senator Anderson has widespread endorsements from unions and business associations. Jacobs offers common sense solutions, like stipends to keep struggling renters from being evicted. And her campaign has emphasized the primacy of community outreach. Incumbent Joel Anderson is a career Republican politician and a fierce gun rights advocate.
District 3 — Terra Lawson-Remer
After being termed out as Mayor of San Diego, and placing third in the 2021 gubernatorial recall election, Republican Kevin Faulconer is seeking a political comeback in the race for supervisor in coastal District 3. The district is now held by Terra Lawson-Remer, a Democrat who describes her background as economist, attorney, grassroots organizer, and university educator. Lawson-Remer is a no-frills incumbent who has been impressive in boosting county public health services.
Faulconer sought Trump’s endorsement and voted for him twice. His endorsements include the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors and the San Diego Police Officers Association, while Lawson-Remer is backed by the San Diego County Democratic Party, Planned Parenthood and numerous labor organizations. Faulconer is best known as the father of 101 Ash Street, and his second best legacy is his failure over the homelessness issue. His well-funded campaign has focused on smearing Lawson-Remer.
San Diego Mayor – Larry Turner
Larry Turner for Mayor: In one year, Turner has gone from “Who’s he?” to within three polling points of Todd Gloria. If Turner governs the way he campaigns, he will be a pragmatic centrist who is straightforward, accessible, and accountable. Mayor Todd Gloria, one of the most well-known and slick politicians in San Diego and statewide, faces a retired Marine lieutenant colonel who is a San Diego Police community relations officer. Turner has attacked Gloria over homelessness and crime, and tapped longtime residents’ frustration over new housing development. “Mayor Gloria’s push to add housing density in already over-saturated communities knows no bounds and completely ignores community feedback,” according to Turner’s campaign website.
Gloria, who has served a City Councilman, state Assemblyman and Mayor stresses his experience in multiple levels of government and argues that the only way to solve the twin crises of unaffordable housing and homelessness is to build more homes. He is endorsed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and most of the California Democratic party organization, as well as the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council. However, Gloria’s housing policies have been disastrous for San Diego. Let’s not forget 101 Ash, Midway Rising, and Kettner & Vine. Could this city survive four more years of Todd Gloria?
San Diego City Attorney — Heather Ferbert
Heather Ferbert for City Attorney: Ferbert has run an energetic campaign. Maienschein has been a no-show. Her proposal for a “housing protection unit” to preserve affordable homes is spot-on. Like Faulconer, Maienschein seems stuck in a game of political musical chairs, circling for empty seats so he can continue to serve the establishment. Enough with these retreads.With Mara Elliott termed out, her chief deputy, Heather Ferbert, is seeking to succeed her, facing former City Councilmember and longtime Assemblymember Maienschein, who was an attorney before entering politics. Ferbert has been an attorney on the city’s staff for the past decade, and was in private practice before. She is endorsed by Elliott and the deputy city attorney’s association, while Maienschein is backed by Mayor Todd Gloria, much of the Democratic party establishment, and the Regional Chamber of Commerce. In March, Ferbert received 53% of the vote to Maienschein’s 47%.
San Diego City Council
District 3 — Coleen Cusack
There are runoff races in two council districts. In District 3, which stretches from downtown north to Mission Valley, incumbent Stephen Whitburn faces Coleen Cusack. Whitburn, a longtime nonprofit executive at the Red Cross and American Cancer Society, also serves as chair of the Metropolitan Transit System. His opponent is a teacher and former trial attorney who promises “a unique and refreshing perspective.” Attorney Cusack is a take-no-prisoners fighter for the civil liberties of homeless people. She skews YIMBY on housing density, and her campaign hasn’t gained steam. But the proverbial ham sandwich would be a better choice than incumbent Stephen Whitburn, a nice-enough guy who is best known for obeying Todd Gloria and dodging his constituents.In the March primary, Whitburn received 52% of the vote to Cusack’s 21% in a crowded field.
District 9 –-Terry Hoskins
Terry Hoskins for District 9: Hoskins knows District 9, and the district knows him. He is a political moderate with a strong work ethic. Sean Elo-Rivera lucked into this seat in 2020 when the leading candidate dropped out. He quickly pulled up the drawbridge, dodging constituents and peddling divisive ideology. If he’s re-elected, he’ll immediately start running for mayor. As council incumbent president, Elo-Rivera, now faces a re-election challenge in retired Marine sergeant major and San Diego Police officer Terry Hoskins. Elo-Rivera, a lawyer and community activist before entering politics, has sought tenant protections while advocating for more construction of affordable housing. His endorsements include much of the San Diego County Democratic power structure, major unions and the Regional Chamber of Commerce. Hoskins has called Elo-Rivera “autocratic” and advocates neighborhood control over development to encourage “smart growth.” In March Elo-Rivera received 52% of the vote to Hoskins’ 30%.
State Propositions and Local Ballot Measures
There are a total of 10 statewide propositions. The first five were placed on the ballot by the state Legislature; the second five via voter petitions.
Proposition 2 — School Construction — Yes
Voting “yes” on this measure would allow the state to issue $10 billion in general obligation bonds for repairs and new construction of K-12 public schools and community colleges. Proponents say California needs to invest in school facilities, while opponents warn of higher taxes.
Proposition 3 — Fundamental Right to Marriage – Yes
This measure would amend the California Constitution to remove old language stating marriage is only between a man and a woman. It is backed by the ACLU and Planned Parenthood amid concerns the conservative U.S. Supreme Court could reverse its legalization of same-sex marriage.
Proposition 4 — Protecting Natural Resources — Yes
Like Prop. 2, this measure allows the state is issue another $10 billion in bonds, but for water supply, wildfire prevention, climate resilience and clean energy. Proponents, including the Cal Fire firefighters union, say the measure will fund “commonsense investments to protect our communities.” Opponents, including Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, say it is “too much debt, too little benefit.”
Proposition 5 — Local Bonds for Housing — Toss Up [We’re split on this — no consensus]
California makes it difficult for local governments to borrow money. Not only do most city and county bonds require voter approval, they need the support of at least two-thirds of those voting to pass. Proposition 5 would amend the California constitution by lowering the required threshold to 55% for any borrowing to fund affordable housing construction, down payment assistance programs and a host of “public infrastructure” projects, including those for water management, local hospitals and police stations, broadband networks and parks. If it passes, the new cut-off would apply not just to future bonds, but any that are on the ballot this November.
Backers also say this is a question of local control. Reducing the required vote threshold from two-thirds to 55% would allow local officials to fund their own priorities more easily without having to rely as much on statewide bonds or federal dollars. Opponents say when a local government decides to borrow money, that tab almost always gets put on property owners — who might make up a minority of voters — through higher taxes. Rather than allow a narrow majority to make what are potentially financially irresponsible decisions, the choice to issue a bond should be made only when a broad consensus exists.
Local governments would also be allowed to repay the bonds by raising property taxes above 1%. The measure is supported by the League of Women Voters and the Habitat for Humanity, the California Democratic Party, California State Building and Construction Trades Council, AIDS Healthcare Foundation and California Housing Partnership, but opposed by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, California Chamber Of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Businesses and the California Republican Party.
Proposition 6 — Prison Work Requirement – Yes
California currently can require prisoners to work in jobs like cooking, cleaning and other tasks needed to run jails. Voting “yes” on this proposition would allow prisoners to refuse without facing disciplinary action. Prisoners could still volunteer to work. Proponents say this will end “all forms of slavery” in the state’s prisons.
Proposition 32 — Higher Minimum Wage – Yes
California’s minimum wage is currently $16 per hour. This proposition would immediately increase that to $17 and then $18 next year. Thereafter, the minimum wage would be adjusted annually by the rate of inflation. Business associations have panned the measure, warning it will raises prices for consumers and cost thousands of jobs. The author of Prop. 32 is Joe Sandberg, a Southern California investor and anti-poverty advocate.
Proposition 33 — Local Rent Control — Yes
This measure would give cities and counties more power to impose rent control by repealing the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995. Proponents say the measure will make housing more affordable, while opponents — and the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst office — say it would encourage landlords to take rental units off the market and reduce local government property tax revenues by “at least tens of millions of dollars each year.” The measure is championed by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
Of the fifteen state and local measures on this November’s ballot, arguably none would be more beneficial to the largest number of Californians than Proposition 33. Which is why it’s curious that one cannot find a single mainstream media outlet which supports it. We do. For more, go here.
“Proposition 33 is a clean repeal of the 1995 Costa-Hawkins Act, which bans cities and counties from limiting the amounts that new and existing tenants can be charged for rent. That’s it. It doesn’t specify any limits; it simply allows them to be enacted.”
Proposition 34 — No
One state proposition that didn’t make our original list is Prop 34, or the “kneecap AHF” bill. As AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has been the main sponsor of Prop 33 and the previous two attempts to repeal Costa-Hawkins, Big Real Estate is looking to de-fund it — which Prop 34 would largely do. Don’t think even if approved it would pass Constitutional muster in court, given the Citizens United decision.
Proposition 35 — Medi-Cal Funding – Yes
With an existing tax on health care plans set to expire in 2026, this measure makes the tax permanent. Revenue is used to provide health care to low-income families with children, seniors and other Medi-Cal recipients. It has wide support in the health care sector, and no opposition was listed in the official state voter guide.
Proposition 36 — Penalties for Drug and Theft Crimes – No.
A decade ago, amid record crowding of California’s prisons, voters changed some theft and drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors with Proposition 47. Following reports during COVID of a rise in drug crimes and smash-and-grab incidents, some claim the pendulum is swinging back with Proposition 36. This measure would restore felony designations for many crimes, and increase sentences. San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan is a proponent, but former San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne argues that Prop. 36 is too extreme. The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst says prison costs could rise by hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
California is succeeding in reducing its prison population (we’re under a 100,000 prisoners, and closing prison facilities at huge savings to taxpayers) without violent crime increasing. This trend is GOOD for all. It goes without saying that we’re in favor of preventative and rehabilitative approaches, but the California District Attorneys is in support of Prop 36, and they’re the ones trying to lock the whole world up. Meanwhile the progressive Prosecutors Alliance and a progressive group
called Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice opposes Prop 36, as do public defenders statewide, and those are the people actually defending your literal freedom every day. [Attorney Laura Sheppard assisted here. ]
County Measure G — Half-Cent Sales Tax for Infrastructure – No
This measure would increase the countywide sales tax by half a cent to raise $350 million annually for infrastructure. Eligible projects include roads, bridges, storm drains, rail lines and safety improvements. It’s backed by construction unions but opposed by taxpayer advocates, the San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board and former City Councilmember Carl DeMaio. Yet because this initiative is asking voters to give even more tax dollars to a government entity (SANDAG) that has repeatedly plundered the public treasury, we say “no.’ Does it seem like you keep reading one news story after another about SANDAG’s serial scandals? Well, that’s because you are.
San Diego Measure D — Strengthening the Ethics Commission – Yes
City Atty. Mara Elliott proposed this measure to strengthen the city’s Ethics Commission. Key changes include hiring an independent executive director with power to initiate investigations of city operations. The goal is to make the commission a “watchdog for violations of ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance laws.” Yes on Measure D: Finally, we have a ballot initiative that could really strengthen local government. The serial disasters of the Faulconer-Gloria years happened because each strong mayor had total power and no moral compass. Giving the Ethics Commission independence and resources is our best hope of pulling City Hall out of the swamp.
San Diego Measure E – One-Cent Sales Tax for Infrastructure – No
This is the most significant local ballot measure. It would impose an additional one-cent sales tax to raise $400 million annually for infrastructure — streets, sidewalks, storm sewers, parks, and more. It was proposed by Mayor Todd Gloria, and placed on the ballot by the City Council. There is significant opposition, including from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, which warns the tax could be used for anything, not just infrastructure, and continue in perpetuity.
No on Measure E: Let’s say your teenage son always spends his monthly allowance in a couple of days on God knows what. Let’s say he always pushes you for more money, warning that Very Bad Things will happen if you don’t pony up. How long will you let him play you? Measure E will enable feckless politicians to waste more of our money. Time to shut off the spigot.
Thanks for helping – Times of San Diego
Readers may find a lot of concurrence between the Rag’s ballot recommendations and the mainstream Democratic Party in San Diego — EXCEPT our recommendations for mayor and city council, Props E and G, for city attorney, and …. come inside and see for yourself.
Appreciate the shout-out, Editordude!
One state proposition that didn’t make the list is Prop 34, or the “kneecap AHF” bill. As AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has been the main sponsor of Prop 33 and the previous two attempts to repeal Costa-Hawkins, Big Real Estate is looking to de-fund it — which Prop 34 would largely do.
Don’t think even if approved it would pass Constitutional muster in court, given the Citizens United decision. But if it does, let’s have a proposition on the 2026 ballot to restrict property owners from using income from their renters to pay for their political activities. What’s sauce for the goose…
Just wondering why 34 wasn’t listed? I found that one to be the soap opera ish measure to read. Kinda entertaining to see that kind of drama play out on our ballot.
Seems like the Rag wants most of the close-to-home support is going for change and no taxes while supporting status quo for state and federal offices.
“Status quo” is voting for Kamala Harris?
Absolutely.
She just stated when asked what would be different if she were elected would be the fact that she’s not Biden or Trump, then stated she hadn’t thought of one thing she would have changed in the last 4 years of Biden/Harris administration.
It’s hard to believe she would do a 180 on most of her recent position changes.
Why does Harris repeat the phrase then that she’s the “underdog”? Sounds like you’re voting for Trump.
I’d love to ask Ferbert how she’s going tho separate herself, when the city make a deal government and taxpayer interests collide, and even herself with Rottenstreich and Midway Rising/ SDSU arena conflicts. Haven’t found a contact on her campaign page while Manschein doesn’t respond.
We knew we’d piss somebody off by not following the Democratic Party ticket up and down the ballot. Establishment Dems in this city have become part of the problem — which does not mean that Republicans are not.
A good government is a balanced government where Everyone needs to be heard and seen and feels as though compromise is possible. Right now at least 50% of the populace feels like their voices are being ignored and that is not getting us anything except anger, vitriol, and groups who are writing “1984” style manifestos on how to take the government back and control those who don’t agree with them. Nothing grows in a vacuum.
It’s difficult to advocate support for more sales tax increases when trust in those at the top in San Diego has evaporated.
Can’t please everybody. We didn’t agree on everything. I know you tried. LOL
Pretty much the same process with the entire ballot for me. Can’t agree to improvements without some attitude adjustments. Especially with lowering the threshold on Prop 5. Just going to open the door to more special interest disinformation.
Apparently the last 4 years have just been peachy! Unicorns and rainbows daily. I guess the homeless disappeared. The issues in OB evaporated. No problem with density, parking, useless bike lanes. We wake up every morning to a city which has lost its vision and purpose. Most officials are hanging in office until pension time. Or it is a position bought and paid for. So good that, with the exception of the mayor (who will most likely win per Unions) , the same party will be able to keep reducing the quality of life in OB and Pt. Loma. Remember what Einstein and what he said about insanity.
Poor Richard with his tax dollars paying bikes lanes. Granted, some of them are poorly laid out.
Correction. Most.
The county Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 Wednesday against endorsing Proposition 36, a criminal sentencing measure on the November ballot that would reverse another initiative passed a decade ago, should voters approve it.
Following a county staff report, Board Chairwoman Nora Vargas voted no, along with Terra Lawson-Remer and Monica Montgomery Steppe. Their colleagues Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond were in favor of a resolution supporting Prop 36, which backers say is needed to correct unintended consequences of Proposition 47.
Measure G would increase the county sales tax by a half percent for transit projects and funnel the money to SANDAG.
The committee pushing for a half-cent sales tax increase that would go to mass transit projects has received more than $1 million from companies that internal audits by the San Diego Association of Governments concluded received massive contract increases with little oversight.
One of the companies, HNTB, was paid by SANDAG to manage the contract for the bungled South Bay Expressway toll collection project.
The company was paid nearly $5 million for the work overseeing main contractor ETAN, which was found to have faulty software that led to thousands of drivers being charged when they did not use the road.
HNTB has given nearly $400,000 to the Yes on G campaign advocating for the tax increase since the committee was established in 2021, a review of campaign finance filings by inewsource shows.
I have to ask… many readers here and throughout San Diego are stuck on 101 Ash St., which makes some sense – my question, though, is how folks are squaring Larry Turner for Mayor with his Policy Director Cybele Thompson, an appointee who was absolutely critical to that deal going through in the first place? I am genuinely interested if this has been addressed
and how!
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2021/12/19/prosecutors-in-ash-street-criminal-probe-seek-meeting-with-former-san-diego-real-estate-director/
In 2022, the VoiceSD reported:
Cybele Thompson, who resigned in 2020 amid uproar over the skyscraper that has now sat empty for more than two years, said during an April 15 deposition the city “rushed” construction there. The pressure was on to move employees into the building by late 2019 after headlines decried the nearly $18,000 a day?the city was spending?to lease an empty building.
“There was a really big push on the mayor to get it finished on time, on budget, no excuses,” Thompson said, according to a draft transcript obtained by Voice of San Diego. “And so, it just appeared that people cut corners to make that happen.”
Thompson also revealed that the mayor caused the city to spend more money on the building because he was trying to avoid political problems and she departed the city with copies of hundreds of city documents out of concern she could become a scapegoat.
That’s super helpful context, thank you! And the mayor she’s referring to is Faulconer, right?
Toad Gloria’s role in Ash St has been well documented. Toad knew it was a bad deal and still went through with it. And he’d like people to forget it (oh hey, BTW, today, I need more tax money). So while you may want to distract with Faulconer, I guarantee you Gloria’s role will be refreshed if you’d like.
There’s a wonderful archive at VOSD on it.
https://voiceofsandiego.org/2022/07/27/the-city-decided-it-wanted-those-two-buildings-and-now-its-got-them-and-a-historic-challenge/
Sure, the City Council members who approved that deal are also culpable – I am not an apologist for the Gloria administrationI just think it’s interesting that folks are being very vocal about Gloria’s association, but not Turner’s selection for policy director. I mean, part of the argument for Turner’s campaign is that he doesn’t necessarily need experience managing a major city’s budget or policy experience, because elected leaders in the executive branch are fundamentally a Trojan horse for the staff and bureaucracy they bring into office with them. Something in the realm of “He’s well-intentioned, well-connected, and seems reasonable, so he’ll do a fine job with the subject-matter experts he’ll rely on for policy and implementation.” But his choice to elevate someone directly responsible for this disastrous real estate deal to the level of policy director doesn’t instill a ton of confidence that he’ll be discerning about who he brings with him to a hypothetical Turner administration.
I don’t think it’s helpful to discount either of these associations when making a decision at the polls. ¯\_(?)_/¯
Measure E is a separate conversation – I know why so many don’t trust the city with more revenue, but I also know that San Diego has been flirting with structural deficits since at least 2008, the fiscal year before our dear Mayor was ever elected to his first city office. Even if the city made all the “correct” choices with resource allocation, they wouldn’t have enough to invest in the city the way it deserves.
I’m not even as bothered as I would normally be by the choice to propose a regressive tax, as we really do have lower-than-most sales tax rates, and it would generate a substantial amount of unrestricted revenue for things we clamor for, like road repairs and Balboa Park investments.
I’ve gone to Turner’s campaign website, contacted and asked questions, and have received responses. You stand a chance there. But I think Gloria’s red flags outnumber Turner’s.
Sales tax, there are many places in Cali with higher rates, some over 10%, but when you’ve given builders a break on infrastructure, wanting to spend 30 mil a year for 30/35 years on a homeless shelter, still footing the bill with Ash St and pensions, there’s not much sympathy with higher rates. Saying no is asking for the house mess to be put into order.
Interesting point. But my recollection is that the boy’s club singled out Thompson to take the fall for them on 101 Ash. And who said Turner intended or needed to go in with no advisors with experience of how the dirty gear inside the City Admin Building works?
I imagine he could find no one less likely to be complicit with “business as usual” — or better informed to point out where the bodies are buried, who gave the orders and who held the shovels.
That’s a motivation in itself to explain the Establishment’s morbid fear of Turner — as well as another reason to support him.
The City of San Diego operates under a strong mayor form of government and all city staff act under the direction of the mayor, so it is cowardly for any mayor to throw a staffer down and behave as if they did not provide that direction. In fact, it is well documented in depositions that Cybele Thompson actually revealed the truth about 101 Ash St, about specific direction the mayor gave her to proceed with this lease and his political motivations for doing so, and she publicly revealed documents that the city said didn’t exist under previous subpoena. Her testimony to both the DA and the US Attorney resulted in Jason Hughes’ conflict of interest plea agreement and return of $9.4M to the city. If any person understands how the city works and the anatomy of a bad deal becoming reality, it is Cybele Thompson who wants nothing more than to prevent taxpayers from ever suffering through this again. She is a natural match for what Larry Turner stands for in his desire for an honest, transparent city government.
Wasn’t Thompson a supporter of Gloria until the wheels fell off with 101 Ash? Also interesting how the Director of Public Works kept their job, as they were responsible for the project?
Cybele Thompson did in fact support Todd Gloria in his last run for Mayor and that was long after the wheels fell off with 101 Ash St during Faulconer’s term. Like so many others in San Diego, she has become disillusioned with the promises he made during his campaign that were never fulfilled for the taxpayers of San Diego.
Opinion piece on G
This year’s ballot offers an opportunity for personal reflection on my old prejudices, changing voting habits and a belief we sorely need better local government in general. I’m qualified to opine because I’ve lived here for 55 years, paying taxes and voting in every election as a registered Democrat, keeping the faith and doing good works. But I am dissatisfied with the current status quo, even as it has shifted to flawed Dem monolith from longtime GOP dominance.
For starters, who is the man running as an unchallenged incumbent on the County Board of Education? I’ve never heard of him or about him and would not recognize him at the grocery store. So this year I’m not voting for some blank, and I’m left wondering why there is no information and no challenger.
Re City Attorney: Yes on Brian Maienscheim. I remember Brian Maienschein as a heroic, helpful, empathetic neighbor and effective City Councilman during the terrible fires that swept through his Scripps Ranch district years back. He has since joined the Democratic Party, served admirably in the state Legislature and can be counted on for integrity and intelligence. Maienschein will wield a new broom in our City Attorney’s office that utterly failed taxpayers on the scandalous 101 Ash Street deal. We remember and we don’t need an insider in that job.
NO on Measure G (County Transportation Sales Tax Increase) and NO on Measure E (City of San Diego Sales Tax Increase).
No San Diegan needs higher taxes right now. These regressive proposals will hurt everyone, most especially the poorest among us. (It takes twelve pages in the ballot pamphlet to justify them!) Tone-deaf and irresponsible.
Re Mayor of San Diego: It turns out, sometimes you really need a political Independent for Mayor. Yes, yes, yes, to ex-Marine Larry Turner and thanks for running! He was authoritative, unvarnished and entirely convincing in the KPBS-TV debate with slickster Todd Gloria last week. We are blessed, people, to have a legitimate mayoral alternative. Vote for Larry Turner.
Speaking of leaders, obviously, vote for excellent Terra Lawson-Remer for County Supervisor. Kevin Faulconer is running again for public office on fumes while Terra is working to remedy fumes from the polluted sands of Imperial Beach in South Bay.
No on Measure C: It’s a move by the all-Dem City Council to ease out School Board Primary Election races that field only a single candidate. Last cycle, the all-Dem School Board successfully narrowed both Primary and General Elections to district-election-only events. In the lamentable past, one School Board seat (among five ) was regularly uncontested; but now that number has grown to two seats. Why is this happening?
We need to ensure a democratic process of healthy competition for all five School Board seats in both Primary and General Elections. We should not eliminate an entire Primary layer of election because there happens to be only one candidate running.
I won’t comment on the appearance of several school bond proposals for rebuilding and building physical buildings with nothing for improving the actual education of K-12 and community college students — broader curriculum, more teachers and more teacher-training, more counselors and smaller class-sizes across the system.
can you provide a source for newsom endorsing turner? i cant find that anywhere.
He didn’t…read the paragraph again. I can see where the confusion occurred, but it does state that New some endorsed Gloria.
Thank you for a very comprehensive voter guide with lots of rationale and information. I appreciate knowing the RAG’s point of view.
This is one of the most important services the Rag provides each cycle. Just read through each section with my ballot. I did not agree on everything, but was able to be swayed on 1 or 2 (Frank’s comment above is spot-on: it is hard to continue to approve tax increases for orgs like SANDAG, which, similar to City leadership, has again and again proved inept). To see the Rag and DeMaio agree on certain issues shows a level-headedness that distinguishes the Rag from our local Dem Party Mayor Todd bots. Well done and Thank You!