There may be a major shake up in the race for the District 2 San Diego City Council seat.
Times of San Diego reported on Friday, Dec. 5, that former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey has moved to San Diego — but even more specific, Times reports, “he confirmed this week he now lives in Point Loma.”
That could mean that Bailey is now planning to campaign for the D2 seat, now occupied by termed-out Jen Campbell.
The title of he Times piece expressed this thought: “Coronado’s former mayor moved to San Diego. He’s acting a lot like someone running for something.”
Ever since Bailey recently showed up on San Diego’s political scene, he has appeared to be a politician looking for an office. He has been shooting out mailers that look a lot like campaign literature, he was very visible during the brief anti-Senate Bill 79 campaign here in town, he’s been busy publishing websites and policy positions concerning San Diego issues, like trash fees and infrastructure.
And now, Bailey has immersed himself into a group that recently formed that seems to be his stalking horse for a council seat, called San Diego United Communities. They probably would deny that, but he was a featured speaker at their formation meeting and is very prominently displayed on the group’s website.
Bailey says he’s no longer a Republican and has told people he’s an independent now. Even though races for council seats are supposed to be non-partisan, party endorsements play a big part in this town.
And in a metropolis that has trended blue in recent years, running for a major office while calling yourself a Republican doesn’t bode well. Just ask Kevin Faulconer.
Since Bailey is now a San Diego resident, it’s possible he’s gearing up to run for mayor, not just a council seat. He has been collecting supporters from different neighborhoods around the city and has been mining activists who have been involved in various groups, networks and coalitions that have formed in large part to oppose San Diego’s housing policies.
Yet, he’s been too visible and too energetic to run for something that’s a long two years away.
We’re placing our bets that Bailey is going for the D2 council seat. And if he does, he’ll scramble the politics of the current district situation and race. As the Rag reported last week on the status of the race, we stated:
The primary is six months away in June [2026], and candidates have filed early campaign financial reports. A review of the city’s Campaign Disclosure Reports (Series 400) shows a real difference in the sources of support for three candidates who filed disclosures: Josh Coyne, Mandy Havlik, and Nicole Crosby.
Three other candidates in the race – Mike Rickey, Nicole Quillin, and Daniel Smiechowski – do not have reports on the website, which is common for candidates who don’t reach the reporting threshold.
There’s at least one Republican who will probably run as well, and that’s Linda Lukacs — who came in first in the Primary last time around but fell to the ultimate victor, Jen Campbell. [See this about a 2022 candidate forum for D2.]
So, you heard it here first.
The Times was more circumspect. Here’s portions of their report:
… Bailey still says he’s not running for office. Unless, that is, the people want him to. “Never say never, and if it seemed like voters wanted someone like myself with my experience, and my positions on these policies, it’s something I would be open to,” the former Republican official told Times of San Diego.
Bailey emerged as a micro-influencer over the last year, sending videos both explaining and critiquing city policy to his more than 22,000 followers. Filmed from Coronado with downtown San Diego behind him, the videos focus on cost of living and quality of life.
That led to speculation he would run in 2026 for the open council seat in District 2, where Bailey runs a beach rental business. Bailey dismissed that talk earlier this year, saying he still lived in Coronado and couldn’t run if he tried.
That’s no longer the case. He confirmed this week he now lives in Point Loma. His move came just after he unveiled last month, via Instagram, his plan to launch citizens initiatives to repeal the city’s trash fee and parking fee increases.
So far, that effort has been limited to collecting email addresses to gauge resident interest in a formal initiative. But those are also email addresses he could rely on for a supporter base. …
Bailey said he doesn’t have a formal organization behind him yet, but he’s working with community members like realtor Lisa Mortentson [sic], who is part of the lawsuit against the trash fee, and the group San Diego United Communities, a group opposing high-density developments. …
Beyond this effort, Bailey has also recently sent some San Diegans mail that look and read an awful lot like campaign pieces. Along with pictures of him — one version of the mailer features him in a Santa costume — recipients find a list of issues like the ones he talks about on Instagram. They point recipients to another website of his “Common Good SD” that advocates for policy solutions, like pushing the city to hire 300 additional police officers.
Bailey said the informational mailers and website are not part of a political campaign, they’re just another way to educate neighbors on policy alternatives. If he was running, he’d be required to disclose the mailers as political spending.
The Rag will continue our on-going reporting and analysis of the District 2 campaign — as well as the other council races in Districts 4, 6 and 8.
No more Republicans. Period.
Would you prefer more Todd Gloria, more Jen Campbell, more Stephen Whitburn?
I’d still never vote for Bailey.
Why did I think you were in NP and outside the boundary?
Wow! I’m surprised at this attack on Richard Bailey! I have often found your Rag fair, balanced & informative, but this is exceptionally biased. Maybe, leave your keyboard once in a while and hear Richard Bailey speak at one of his open events. You obviously have all the info on where to find one.
Excuse me — where is the actual “attack”? Pretty much a factual post — an attack implies falsehoods, slander, etc. Where are they?
This entire article is an attack on Richard Bailey. Surely you recognize and intended it to be that way. I now have way more respect for Richard Bailey than I do for you. Maybe the people of this city deserve choices. Maybe they can think for themselves.
Time for you to take a gummy.
Spot on Chris!
I think Frank Gormlie ate all the gummies.
What’s the old saying… Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing?
Bailey seems smart, well-informed and on top of all the issues. I don’t care which party he’s in, he has my vote at this point. We need someone to be a sensible voice on the City Council. These races are supposed to be non-partisan but you can see that no one treats the as a non-partisan race. Having a slate of Democrats hasn’t really done anyone any favors. I hope he does run and I hope he wins. He understands more now than most season City Councilmembers.
I understand completely yours and other’s frustration with our current crop of councilmembers. We do need sensible voices on the council. Many of the panel that’s made up of Democrats are just Democrats in name and they act like Republicans. In our frustration of a panel of D’s, let not rush the other direction and bring back the GOP. The GOP had a virtual monopoly of power in this city (and county) for decades and helped create many of the problems we now had. Let’s not forget the Sanders and Faulconer administrations and all their follies.
Thank you & totally agree!
That was totally agree with Joe R!
Since you named Sanders and Faulconer, I’ll throw in Murphy, Golding, and an assist from McGrory (when we had a City Manager). Pension crisis anyone?
“Whatever it is, I’m against it.”
Groucho Marx
Well said Joe…100% agree.
Cut revenue and increase spending. Sounds like typical GOP to me.
P.S. Let it be noted I believe that paid parking in Balboa Park is a stupid idea that will bring in minimal revenue. And it is time for the People’s Ordinance to die.
I think it already did.
I just googled Bailey and got a promotional video about San Diego making a “comeback”. Sounds like “make America great again” to me. He makes vague policy statements like Bringing down the cost of living or solving the “homeless problem”, but he doesn’t say how he will do those things. I’m with Frank on this and I would be very skeptical about this rebranded Republican.
According to the Coronado News newspaper (3/10/2023) the homeless population problem was solved by Bailey by having the Coronado police take homeless individuals across the bridge to San Diego homeless shelters – not exactly a viable solution for San Diego.
The City of Coronado Police also drive homeless from Coronado into Imperial Beach.
“Imperial Beach residents want to know why Coronado police dropped off man in IB.”
November 5, 2025.
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/video-coronado-police-drop-off-man-imperial-beach/3927252/
In addition, in 2022 Coronado paid Father Joe’s an annual $91,249 per year for 2 overnight homeless beds at St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) for a 3 year contract.
https://tinyurl.com/20210420
The next day the homeless from Coronado are kicked out onto downtown City of San Diego streets and still remain homeless but in a different city. Then Coronado can claim they solved all their homeless problems by dumping their problems onto other nearby cities. Problem solved for them.
Go with Frank, when he attends one of Richard Bailey’s open, community get togethers, where you can engage with him. Ask those questions. Don’t just sit behind your keyboard and think the worst. Believe me, His answers are going to make sense and will be backed with solid facts. The last one I went to had mostly folks from OB, and they appeared to be really pleased.
That’s all well and good but I’m also skeptical of has-been democrats. I’m ready for a change as all the last changes haven’t gone so well. He seems smart to me. Smart could get us somewhere.
Where is he on vacation rentals? OB has been gutted by full-time weekly rentals and locals can’t afford to stay. That is Jen Cambell’s legacy. If he takes a stand on reforming the STVR ordinance, I’ll listen.
Who are the “has-been democrats”? Daniel Smiechowski? Surely you don’t mean Mandy Havlic or Nicole Crosby? Has-beens? Where do you get that?
Thanks, Frank, for giving Richard Bailey some press. I would like to bring to everyone’s attention that when he was termed out of the Coronado mayor’s office (12/2024), Mr. Bailey left a budget balanced without debt. To me that is a major accomplishment. You can find out more about Richard by going on his website: SanDIegoComeback.com.
Or do you want to stay with our current crop of self-serving local politicians just because of the D after their name? To me, the D means deficit.
That’s why I left the Democrat party last year and decided to join the ‘no-party affiliation’ because we need to stop the cycle of the two-party big money political system that caters to its donors. The independent party is more middle of the road and doesn’t get caught in outdated party ideologies.
While you and I agree with our national party politics, you appear to have a blind spot when it comes to the local political scene. Wake up, Frank, today’s local Democratic party is not the same party from decades ago. Time to move forward with a more Progressive (non-party) approach.
Hey Lisa, I’ve been very clear on my views of “the local political scene.” I helped found and maintain a community coalition just recently that is opposed to politics as usual at city hall, which I know you know is all Democrats. So not sure where this “blind spot” is. We can’t trade a bunch of Democratic electeds acting like Republicans for real Republicans.
Frank, you are mistaken. They aren’t acting like Republicans. That statement shows how closed minded you are about politics. Drop the party lines and go with who will do the best job. Someone who is smart, has a proven track record, and is willing to take on a city in a really bad condition. Someone with common sense.
‘same party from decades ago’… By that you mean before the conservative SCOTUS legalized bribery and owning elections from Lewis Powell, Bilotti, Buckley, Citizen’s United, and McCutcheon?
Yes, Dems can be bought too. Just not 100% like the other party.
And the ‘no-party affiliation’ I’m a member of would probably have supported Eisenhower, but today, in 2025, I am no where near the middle of the road. Just left-of-center 50 years ago is now considered radically left thanks to media and ignorance and billion$ pulling that center farther and farther right.
Interesting bunch of comments. Two points. 1. Bailey is clearly not a Democratic Party member. 2. For all of you who voted for Jenn Campbell and Todd Gloria; how is that working out for you?
I was under the impression he was doing what is called a “listening tour” to gage interest in running for MAYOR.
The Rag is covering city elections by focusing on who gives how much money to which candidates. Our coverage includes percentage of money raised from outside the voting area and loans candidates make to their own campaigns. If Bailey does run for the D2 Council seat in ’26 (which wouldn’t give him much time) or for mayor in ’28, he will be required to file campaign finance reports, and we will know a lot more about him. Show voters the money and let them draw their own conclusions.
Kate, how will money let us know more about Richard Bailey? I could see more money meaning more people contributing, because they like him, but that doesn’t tell us about him. Are you alluding to big donors like unions?
City Hall is welcome to adopt Richard’s policies but none of them are true leaders who want to turn the tide and overturn Todd’s agenda. That’s not leadership, that’s kowtowing. Since the mayor and council races are non-partisan, why do you continue to use the D & R labels; Dems good; Republicans bad.
Maybe we should begin to judge candidates in a non-partisan light and discuss Policies and Solutions over party labels. I think that’s what the majority of San Diegans are after.
As for the San Diego United Communities, they are not political and represent many communities, diversity, and most likely party affiliations.
If you had gone to the Golden Hill rally, you would have listened to well over a dozen cogent speakers from many of our community groups (NFABSD, NFABPB, NFABCA, Chollas View, Encanto, Clairemont, La Jolla, PB, MH, Hillcrest, Bankers Hill, Pt Loma and OB). Not one discussed party but they discussed what they wanted for our city. Richard Bailey was one of many speakers and there were other candidates who were running for CC next year in attendance as well.
The communities are fighting back and taking on legal cases against the city to protect our neighborhoods. Since the city is not listening, our voices must be louder. That’s not being political nor is it aggressive; we’re just mad as hell and not going to take it any longer. This is the growing sentiment and is why the San Diego United Communities is a growing coalition. As a united group from all stripes, we are taking this passion and energy and pushing back.
We welcome the San Diego Coalition to join us, but you have refused for some unknown reason. Frank, I truly hope you, Kate and Paul will at least come and listen to these engaging SDUC meetings. Because together we are empowered in common cause to take back our city. Isn’t that our mutual goal? We would love the Rag to be added to our collective partnership. And I promise, we won’t ask you with which party are you affiliated.
Who cares what party he’s in? Well, most Americans would, and now most San Diegans would, I’d wager. The Republican Party is still the party of Trump and Trump wants to turn America into his own personal fiefdom. Not wanting to mince words, the current GOP wants to turn our country into a new fascist regime, so yes, what party Bailey identifies with is extremely important. Ask Kevin Faulconer if his party affiliation did him any good.
I too want a city and country where partisan attacks fall by the wayside — but this won’t happen while one party wants a neo-nazi state. Until Republicans get up the nerve to denounce Trump, anyone affiliated with him will suffer the wrath of the city and the nation.
You keep mixing nationals against locals to prove your point in a zero sum game. And I don’t see that as being a fair measure whatsoever.
Well said, I have no problem listening to all candidates, and the incessant pigeonholing of party is mindless, that the quick solution lies in that R or D. We, as a dissatisfied group, have to recognize not all candidates will be 100% what we want, but with the current majority being so dominate, some people may need to be elected as a foil to the status quo even if temporarily. Secondly, I’m willing to give Bailey a chance to prove me wrong, with the fee repeals, and can dump him if I smell a rat later. But in the meantime, stirring the water is needed, not the same developer driven destruction. Different strokes, different folks.
Lisa, it is disingenuous of you to issue me a public invitation that you know I will not accept. It’s time to move on. Please give me space and leave me alone.
Lisa! Thank you!
Is Mr. Bailey still a member of Awaken Church? Does he still believe in the vision stated on their website:
“We believe the Church is called to be a voice in the political sphere, to stand for biblical truth, and to disrupt wicked ideologies and agendas at the local, state, and national level.”
https://awakenchurch.com/vision-builders/
Mr Bailey was never a member of that church. That gossip was used to discredit his character. He held a meeting at the church property- it had nothing to do with the church.
The Rag will soon be offering evidence that Bailey voted for Trump 3 times, is still a Republican and loves what ICE is doing. So much for “common sense” and a new vision.
All facts are good for an honest assessment.
I know you hate this idea and suspect Bailey will run for D2, but given the current makeup of the current council, and those who are a continuation of Toad Gloria politics in the D2 space, how do you weigh change by doing the status quo again vs. someone you’re obviously against in a nationalistic sense, in what would be a minority situation that could flip on the next go around? Where does the change actually start? It’s like free trade vs. protectionism.
That was a character assassination and falsehood by a partisan reporter. Richard has responded to those accusations.
This thread has gotten so long that I, for one, have lost track of what reporter and which character asissination you are referring to. Please clarify.
It was the Awakening church accusation.
Hi, Lisa- can you provide a link to Richard’s response to the Awaken accusations? I don’t think I’m the only Rag reader who would like clarity on his church affiliation. Thank you-
Richard Bailey’s rebuttal 9.21.25 to an email sent to me, by his sister, with the accusations published by Brad Willis.
Some background….
I am very familiar with Brad Willis. It is true Mr. Willis was once a well-respected journalist but has unfortunately become someone that views any Republican as a “Nazi,” “KKK,” “bigot,” “white nationalist,” etc. Each one of these terms were used by Mr. Willis and/or his dozen supporters to describe me on one of our local Coronado Facebook groups.
Mr. Willis would write these long blogs connecting dots that did not exist and then publish them on the local Facebook groups as “news.” When I would attempt to comment in response, he would censor my responses so only ones he approved would be seen by others.
Despite never referencing political party or other politicians, I was eventually removed from the group while being called a “fascist.” The hypocrisy of censoring posts by and removing a democratically-elected Mayor from the local Facebook groups while referring to me as a fascist was apparently lost on Mr. Willis.
The accusations…
Richard is a member and supporter of Awaken Church: I have never even been to an Awaken service. Sometime around 2019 and 2021 (I can’t remember the election cycle at the moment) a political friend of mine asked if I would do a “candidate training” that was open to the public and held at an Awaken Church office. The candidate training I provided was about how-to get on the ballot with information from the County Registrar of Voters. This is the same candidate training I’ve given to individuals, small groups, large groups etc. of all various parties – simply helping people understand how to become an official candidate.
Richard asked the City Council to allow the church to have regular meetings in City buildings: this is a very odd accusation bc the only way I “ask” the council for anything is through an agenda item request. In my 12 years there has never been an agenda item request by me or anyone else to allow a church to use city facilities. By law, all public agencies that allow for use of facilities cannot discriminate based on content of speech or programming. This is a very clear First Amendment issue that applies to all cities and school districts. Mr. Willis and his supporters asked the City Council specifically to prohibit Awaken from city facilities. His request was ignored by every Councilmember because it was unconstitutional.
Awaken/RMNT Endorsed mayoral re-election: yes, even though I didn’t seek any outside endorsements, the RMNT endorsed me for Coronado Mayor as is their First Amendment Right. The same organization also endorsed NPP Summer Stephan for DA and Dem Kelly Martinez for Sherrif
Supporting “Awaken” candidates: I have donated and supported dozens of candidates for office including Summer Stephan and Kelly Martinez. I also supported Barbara Bry when she ran against Todd. I share that because I have never once based my decision of who to support by Awaken’s recommendations. So given that the nearly every political figure and the majority of voters backed Summer Stephan and Kelly Martinez, we have now all backed Awaken candidates.
Campaign Funds for Congress: Yes, in 2020, I raised about $500K in 12 weeks while exploring a run for Congress. The rumor was Peters was retiring and the first drafts of the congressional districts were quite favorable. But the final maps became very left leaning and Peters didn’t retire so I withdrew. About 15% of the funds had been spent. Legally I only had to return some of the money, but in addition to returning the legally required amount, I sent everyone an email and letter asking if they would like their full balance without being proportioned – I was willing to come out of pocket to make everyone whole. Some asked for a full refund which they received and others insisted it be donated to other candidates so I donated the rest to other groups. These are all easily verifiable public records. Many donors told me this was the first time a candidate had ever returned their donations.
Richard wants another office: if I really wanted to be in politics for the sake of being in politics, I would’ve re-registered as a Dem or moved to East County and ran as a Republican. I actually don’t want to be in politics and haven’t approached a single person to back me for any San Diego office – all of the support has come from people approaching me to run. I think I do have a lot to offer for policies and leadership but if I hadn’t had so many people ask me, I wouldn’t even be considering it. To be clear, I am truly honored so many have asked me and consider it a civic responsibility to do right by all of them and the city.
Wolfs in sheep’s clothing: I’m not even sure what this means, but please review all of my posts and see if there is anything that seems disingenuous.
In closing, I apologize for the lengthy response but I wanted you to have a detailed explanation. Please note, there are no accusations about me being a bad mayor, being unresponsive, having bad policies, etc. All of the accusations are personal attacks for something I am not even personally involved with.
Your support means a lot to me so please let me know if I missed anything or you’d like more information on any answers.
Richard
Thank you for providing this, Lisa.
I don’t believe it. He’s a carpetbagger who will go wherever he thinks he can win. He is pretending to be an “independent,” but has given no explanation for the change nor denounced his supposedly former party. This is a man who is desperate for higher office and it was obvious from the moment he moved to Coronado specifically to climb the political ladder where it’s easy to get elected. No one who doesn’t want to be in politics does any of the things he has done.
A carpetbagger is someone who is an opportunist without connection to the community. Richard Bailey is a small business owner and also a homeowner in D2. Something that Todd Gloria and the majority of city councilmembers are not. With their lack of community advocacy and lack of home investment, I think your definition of carpetbagger would be correct. Richard Bailey was also a very popular 2-term mayor who left the city debt free and budget balanced. If you are not going to vote for him because he is not democrat, that’s your choice.
Local elections are suppose to be non-partisan. If voters voted for person and their advocacy over party, we would not be in the financial peril we are in today. Just sayin ….
Hi Everyone – Thought I would say hi.
Yes, I recently bought a place and moved to San Diego. I was always planning to move to San Diego because I’d prefer to own a place and Coronado is out of my price range.
While I was Mayor of Coronado, I simply focused on the basics of core city responsibilities: public safety, infrastructure, and sound budget policy. My philosophy is that most other initiatives are outside the scope of local government and tend to distract from those core responsibilities. I think that focus on policy, rather than politics, is what allowed me to win re-election without opposition despite Coronado being fairly evenly split between approx Reps (34%), Dems (30%), and NPPs (26%).
While I always observed San Diego policies, I didn’t think it was appropriate for me to comment on how other cities chose to govern themselves unless it impacted Coronado. Once out of office, I decided to make a single social media video regarding the city’s decision to close beach bonfire pits as a way to close the city’s budget. This video garnered over 100K views and generated more policy-related questions which caused me to make more videos. Before I knew it, I had created over 100 videos about policies affecting the day to day life of average San Diegans and was receiving 500K+ views a month.
A few observations:
-most voters do not care about politics – barely 15% of voters can name their councilmember.
-voters do care about policies especially when it impacts their beaches, parks, neighborhood character, public safety, homelessness, and cost-of-living.
-voters do not like the current direction of the city.
-most voters’ self-identity is not attached to their political affiliation.
-voters are exhausted and turned off by the red vs blue style of theatrical politics that doesn’t positively benefit their lives.
My general rule is that I only discuss policy, not political parties or politicians, but since it was raised on this thread, I will say that if your standard for local candidates is that you must have voted for Kamala Harris, well you have nine councilmembers and a mayor that fit that criteria. How’s that working out? It doesn’t seem like Dems, Reps, or NPPs are happy with the current status.
I didn’t vote for Kamala Harris because I disagreed with how the Biden Administration handled inflation, immigration, crime (prop 47 and prop 36), homelessness (“housing first” model), and the Tijuana sewage issue. It turns out a slim majority of Americans agreed.
I also know a lot of great people that I consider friends that voted for Kamala and we’re still friends.
One thing that the majority of local voters seem to have in common is a hunger for new leadership rooted, not in party politics, but sound policy.
While most candidates for office do not even offer a platform, let alone specific policy positions, I have over 100 policy videos available on my Instagram account. My guess is that regardless of who you voted for nationally, you’ll probably agree with my positions on most local issues. But if not, that’s okay too. At the very least, you’ll know exactly where I stand and have a way to engage with me.
In conclusion, it is clear the City of San Diego needs community-minded leadership with a clear understanding of how local government is supposed to work. Political parties mean nothing if their policies harm the very neighborhoods they are supposed to represent.
The deadline for running for D2 is a couple months away and I am undecided whether or no to run but I am weighing options and potential support.
Either way, you can catch me at south Mission or OB most weekends playing volleyball. Thanks for the conversation!
Hi, Richard- thanks for your comment.
Do you attend Awaken Church?
Are you affiliated with RMNNT? Two separate questions.
Great hearing from you! Your response is perfectly written. I love that it isn’t an attack, but common sense!
PLEASE RUN FOR D2! I’m ready for a smart thinking, clear headed, sensible, leader that listens to the people, can make sensible decisions, based on facts & deliver clearly to constituents.
Craig Klein, what is the point of your first point? The race is nonpartisan, right? As to your second point, both of these candidates were elected because they were perceived as being left of the other candidates. They did nothing to dispel that notion until after they were elected. They are both, as Bill Clinton called himself, new Democrats. In other words, talk left and govern right. This lifelong Democrat voted for the Republican in the last mayoral election. Not because I thought Turner was a good candidate, but because I knew Todd Gloria was as corrupt as any mayor I’ve seen in San Diego. I don’t judge a candidate by his or her party affiliation but by the policy they espouse and the statements they make. I agree with Frank again, that we should not trade Democrats acting like Republicans for more Republicans.
The (D) stands for (D)isaster for both Todd Gloria and the current City Council. I cannot think of ONE thing they have done to help working class residents of San Diego except making living here less affordable. Jen Campbell has quite possibly been the worst non representative of D2. I left the Neoliberal corporate Democratic Party aka #ThePartyofWallStreet and am an Independent. I want to hear policy solutions on affordability and quality of life. That is how Zohran Mamdani came from 1% in the polls to bringing down the Cuomo dynasty and becoming Mayor of NYC. His campaign had a relentless focus on affordability and NOT putting his finger to failed Democratic Establishment winds. I’m open to hearing what Richard Bailey has to say and I already agree with him on repealing Todd’s trash tax which makes living here less affordable.
Hear ya, Dan and agree with a lot. Just one small thing, it’s not difficult being against the trash tax. It’s almost like he put his wet finger in the air and felt the breeze.
That could be true but to Richard’s credit he is listening to the dissatisfaction of residents on the trash tax and taking action. That’s more than one can say of the SDCDP that is blind to the fact that we all don’t approve of Todd Gloria and the Dem City Council’s (D)isastrous policies. I’m not holding against him that he was a former Republican just like I am a former Democrat as both parties have proven they don’t give a damn about us and what we think.
Gloria had a lock on the local Democratic Party. I wonder if he still does. We’ll see who the party endorses for the different council seats open. For example, if the candidate in D2 with the most Gloria support gets the endorsement, then we’ll know.
Or Rottenstreich/ Browning connection.
So, lets elect a Democratic Socialist, not a Republican/Independent.
There you have it. Bailey voted for a convicted felon who tried to overthrow the US government by force. Where is the common sense in that?
John – I noticed that also, Bailey wasn’t happy with the way Biden handled immigration, inflation, etc. He had fore-knowledge and chose the felon and his fraudulent ways over someone new. My other thought while reading his comment, Bailey never denied having unhoused people dropped off in other cities. He likes to talk policy, talk about this policy. I think enough of us have seen politicians talk. It’s the actions that matter more.
John, did you like having a president that was visibly ill? At times he didn’t know where he was, on stage, at the podium! None were perfect choices, we could go on and on…. Anyway that’s national politics & we are talking D2, hopefully mayor.
Sadie, I agree fully with your last three posts. So sad that people make judgements about someone that they haven’t even met.
I had a resistance group that worked from 2017-2020 when Biden was elected. Of course, I was devastated when Trump won in 2024 and believe he is a horrible person. However, Democrats need to look in the mirror and admit as shameless as the national political scene is, locally, things have never been worse. Locally the Dems are in shambles, and the head of the local party was charged with sexual assault which was dropped two years later (after a good settlement). So, let’s be honest, this is not the same Democrat party that you are romancing about. We have been locked out of city hall and the developers are the only ones who have access.
I met Richard and we instantly bonded with our fiscal goals for this city and the need to bring citizen rights and voices back again. I never asked him who he voted for nationally because I absolutely believe that Richard Bailey has appeared at a critical time for our city. The choice is clear: continue to have kowtowing Dems who won’t coalesce and beat back on Todd’s disastrous agenda or Richard Bailey who will be a lightning rod with tested policies and a majority coalition of councilmembers to help us take our city back.
Richard Bailey for D2 2026 and Mayor 2028. That’s as good as winning the lottery.
Yes, apparently OddTodd after destroying housing with ADU’s is now mumbling about demolishing houses and making townhouses or row houses, coined as gentle density near transit, without a comprehensive plan. Dumpy’s dementia syndrome is in the air I guess.
Right on, Chris!
Maureen O’Conner. Diann Shipione. Donna Frye. Sorry, I had a holiday wish list in the back of my mind reading this blog. Sigh.
PLEASE SAVE US FROM SEAN ELO-RIVERA
Sadie, I would take Joe Biden, even if he were on his death bed, over the traitor who is trying to destroy our democracy. And it is a local issue because our neighbors are being kidnaped off our streets by masked criminals, and sent to prisons in third world countries. Do you really support these actions?
I hope Richard Bailey does announce his candidacy for SD politics. His financial knowledge is well qualified. Something Gloria and/or the City Council obviously have zero knowledge of, and less than that in experience. Richard has a degree from a book learning standpoint, AND is a small business owner who has experience in how the real world lives, AND has personal political seat experience, AND didn’t leave Coronado in a financial swamp like Gloria will do TO San Diego. Who can beat Richard Bailey’s experience and knowledge??? No name I’ve heard of. AND he’s a personable guy.
Lisa I think your logic and statements are spot on. Thank you.
If you could only get Donna Frye to run again, she’s another former SD Politician that has common sense, worked FOR the people and not afraid to speak up.
I do think it’s time for SD to have a City Manager that has a speaking part and not hid in the background.
Thanks, Pat. We are aligned as usual without party labels, just common sense thinking.
Next year we have an opportunity to elect community backed candidates to the even-numbered districts. If elected, these diverse candidates with common cause to save our city from financial ruin and bring back citizen rights and voices is exciting. Until then, we must continue to speak out against the Todd Gloria & zombie council agenda of increasing taxes & fees, resulting in increased homelessness and outmigration from our city. Yet not resolving our deficit by popping the city’s staffing balloon. Currently councilmembers grandstand but kowtow to Todd and end up allowing policies to pass that inflict pain on citizens.
Next year, I will promote these candidates as well as call out the many tax measures the city and state want to put on the ballot. Don’t be fooled. Please support the Save Prop 13 initiative by signing the petition. Something none of the local media want to publish for fear they will lose access to city hall.