Earlier today, Friday, Feb. 20, the Rag re-posted an article from the Times of San Diego about Richard Bailey, the former mayor of Coronado, who has just announced he is in the running for the District 2 San Diego City Council seat.
In Times reporter Tessa Balc’s Feb. 19 article, she says this:
“As mayor of Coronado he [Bailey] was affiliated with the Republican Party. He has since re-registered as an independent.”
Now to be clear, Bailey is not quoted as saying this — Balc the reporter says it. Where did she get it, if not from Bailey? (We have a call into her at the Times.)
Now being an “independent” is the understanding of many of Bailey’s current fans of his party or non-party affiliation. It’s been believed by many that Bailey recently moved from Coronado, presumably, into District 2, where he would be in the jurisdiction to vie for its seat. And now it appears he has moved to zip code 92107 and now has announced.
But also, more to the crux, according to documentation from the San Diego Registrar of Voters, Bailey is still a Republican. This online document shows that on January 11, 2026, Bailey re-registered — he has a new address and is in a different city. Yet, according to the Registrar, Richard Bailey is still a “Republican.”
See this from the Registrar of Voters (Bailey’s Voter ID and address have been deleted):
Here is a portion from the lower left blown up:
Now, this is official. And obviously if Bailey wanted to change his party affiliation, he could — but he hasn’t … yet. And just about 5 weeks ago when he re-registered, he kept his Republican affiliation. Why didn’t he change it then if he indeed was not of the GOP?
We just wanted to clear this up, so there’s no more misunderstanding.
Maybe Bailey wants to be an “Independent.” Republican voters in District 2 are outnumbered 2 to 1 by Democrats. In our lifetime (H. Clinton) Point Loma turned light blue, having been deep red for generations.
Next we will find out he has a rental in OB he never stays at….
Frank, which one of the Dems running for D2 has solutions to fix the mismanagement and financial malfeasance at city hall? Or is that not as important as having a D after ones name? Person over party is vital now more than ever. Let’s talk issues and how to pull back our city from bankruptcy.
Richard Bailey has been tested as mayor of Coronado. He left the city in the black when he was termed out as mayor.
Coronado is and always has been a rich city. You are misinformed. It was in the black when he started. He’s no fiscal genius. He denied the sewage issue, refused to declare a state of emergency nor join the other cities in the EPA lawsuit and now Coronado beaches are poisoned, polluted and closed. He was divisive, partisan, and horrible for Coronado. He loves Amy Reichart and the extremists in the Republican Party. He also pals around with the Awaken Church ( virulently anti-gay) and convicted felon Leo Hamel who he started the Gun Pac with. San Diego doesn’t need crazy MAGA men at the dais. Hard pass.
Whether or not he was “good” for Coronado, I’d wager that most Coronado residents are big fans of his.
Don’t be too sure about that Chris T. How much money ya gonna wage dude?
Coronado is a very conservative city with two military bases.
Ricard Bailey states he solved homelessness and mentally ill problem, when he just moved his problems to the City of San Diego and Imperial Beach. For decades, the City of Coronado has an unwritten policy to remove the poor, homeless, and mentally ill using police cruisers to other Cities, so that no one sleeps on their streets. The City of Coronado has no resources for homeless, except eviction.
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/video-coronado-police-drop-off-man-imperial-beach/3927252/
Imperial Beach residents want to know why Coronado police dropped off man in IB.
For years, I saw Coronado police routinely dropping off homeless and mentally ill at the Neil Good Day Center at 299 17th Street.
In 2021, the City of Coronado approved a 3-year contract between Father Joes in downtown San Diego for 2 overnight homeless beds for an annual cost of $91,249 per year. The homeless have an option of either going to jail or accepting the overnight bed in downtown San Diego.
http://tinyurl.com/20210420
Early in the morning the homeless from Coronado are kicked out into downtown City of San Diego streets with no ongoing housing, shelter, or resources. The 2 overnight beds stay open for Coronado Police in case a homeless, poor, or mentally ill person is encountered in Coronado. Problem solved for Coronado.
Well said Lisa. Thank you. Richard stands for Policy over Party, Policy over Politics, and Policy over Personalities. If anyone has not heard him address issues and provide common sense solutions, please follow his social media accounts to find out future opprotunities.
Campaign Kick-Off for Mandy Havlik for
City of San Diego, City Council District 2.
Tomorrow, Saturday, 02/21/2026 11am-2pm.
Plumosa Park, 3600 Plumosa Drive SD 92106
Off Chatsworth Boulevard in Point Loma
Sign Nomination Petition, Volunteer, Signs
https://x.com/LaPlayaHeritage/status/2025017130379522402
He seems to understand city government, budget, etc. and what’s wrong with it and may also have solutions to fix it. That matters more to me than party affiliation. There are so few council members that currently understand the problems facing the city and what to do about them and they don’t listen to their constituents. I’m so tired of us against them, etc. Let’s just fix things! That being said, looking forward to some debates between the candidates. May the best candidate win, regardless of party affiliation.
He’s going to use this as a stepping stone to kick off a mayoral campaign. He will have zero interest in actually representing district 2 or keeping the job long-term.
Richard Bailey was on SANDAG Board of Directors for years and never contributed anything and stayed quiet during public meetings. He could have been a region-wide leader for accountability when he had the opportunity.
Now he says he has opinions including about SANDAG’s whistleblower, which he did not publicly support at the time.
Agreed that he is planning to run for Mayor in 2028 with the help of Kevin Faulconer and the Republican Lincoln Club of San Diego. He has to stay a Republican in order to get the Lincoln Club’s Political Action Committee (PAC) money.
An “Independent” who chooses to remain registered as a Republican is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I am reminded of that federal election campaign cartoon of the Fox declaring to an audience of sheep, “If I am elected as your leader, I will become a vegetarian.” Said wolf wore an orange wig.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. So odd that he would not correct the Times reporter or announce this clearly on Nextdoor where he posts a lot. The fact that his re-registration is so recent is pretty indicative of where he stands.
Bailey has advanced degree in economics, but strongly leans in direction of conservative policies. There is a strict ban on whole home STRs in Coronado, but 125 are listed in AirDNA. So no enforcement. Would he, with his background in economics, grasp the connection between the presence of whole home STRs, artificial inflation that results in spillover to inland communities that contributes to homelessness with a price tag that exceeds the TOT collected.
We’ve seen the results of Supermajority rule locally, at the State, and Federal Government. At some point there has to be an awareness that this trend is not our friend.
I agree with you, Norm. By the way, we will start the initiative campaigns to repeal the trash tax and paid parking at Balboa Park. You had mentioned that you would be willing to get signatures in order to get these initiatives on the ballot. My email is mortensen@sqre.com. Please email me to provide your email address and I will notify you when these campaigns are underway.
OB Rag starting early in its attempt to smear anyone but a hard left candidate. Obvious as a heart attack
Okay Ken, and who would that be? So by trying to hold a candidate to the record is “smearing” them?
I agree with Lisa. I have NEVER voted by party. I’ve always looked at what qualifications each candidate brings to the polling booth.
What has the current regime done FOR the City of SD and it’s constituents? I won’t wait for the answer, I can’t hold my breath that long.
Richard Bailey came and left Coronado in the Black. Gloria came in SD in the Black and will leave in the deepest red ever. I don’t call that progress, I call it woefully mismanaged, financially. Bailey has had political, daily living, business experience. Per google; “Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey did attend college, graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in Business Finance and earning a Master of Science in Applied Economics from the University of North Dakota”.
Collectively the SD mayor and council members don’t have a background, not one of them, to mirror what Bailey has. Never-mind if he has a D, R, I, or nothing behind his name. Look at his qualifications, and leadership/management skills and experience people. Coronado has a upper class demeanor, and passed muster. He did a good job for them financially, and SD desperately needs a change, in leadership. Vote for Richard Bailey D2 or Mayor. Mayor is going to take a hard nose someone, to figure out what all might pop up, once the seat is up for grabs. I’m guessing SD is far more in the red, than has been published so far. Get ready SD.
While I am a registered Democrat, I have in the distant past voted for a Republican, but
not in the recent past! The Republican Party has become a Facist organization, a so
called MAGA orientation! And my observation is that virtually all registered Republicans are
Trumpites simply because Trump requires it! GENUINE independents re-register themselves as Independents or change party affiliation. A few simply become SILENT! While I am a
registered Democrat, I never hesitate to question the views and credentials of any Democrat candidate. And will vote for an independent when the Party line choices are ridiculous!
Richard Castro, Clairemont
UPDATE: On Feb. 19, 2026 Bailey changed his affiliation to “No Party Preference”.
While Richard Bailey has experience as a former mayor and a background in local politics, his campaign for the District 2 San Diego City Council seat as a Republican faces significant hurdles. The confusion over his party affiliation, changing voter demographics, and the shifting political climate all play crucial roles in determining his viability as a candidate. If he wishes to succeed, Bailey may need to clarify his position and address the concerns of voters who are increasingly looking for authentic representation that aligns with their values.
Hi Everyone –
Just wanted to take a few moments to address some of the comments and questions raised on this thread:
Political registration: prior to filing to become a candidate I updated my registration to NPP (no party preference) – which is California’s equivalent of “Independent.” I had never claimed to be registered as an NPP prior to making that change and have respectfully requested a retraction to this article.
Homeless Enforcement: a claim was made that Coronado simply dropped off homeless individuals in other jurisdictions. Coronado offers shelter space with services at Father Joes, at Coronado taxpayer expense. When homeless enter Coronado they are given an opportunity to accept help, including transportation, but they are not allowed to set up tents in public spaces. Coronado PD also will provide transportation to a requested destination if the individual believes the destination will provide them a space to sleep such as a friend or family member. This is common practice for all cities. The notion that coronado “dumps” homeless in random places is not an actual practice.
STRO enforcement: Coronado regularly enforces STRO violations for stays less than 26 nights. Many people rent their home for 26 nights or longer during the summer months and it is perfectly legal to list those on Airbnb and VRBO websites.
Skepticism about a former Rep running for SD City Council: respectfully, it wasn’t the president that approved San Diego’s financially irresponsible budgets, or massive pension plans, or failed to maintain city infrastructure, or passed the parking and trash fees, or approved 101 Ash st, or increased adult rec league fees, it was the current San Diego city council and mayor which are all democrats. But these outcomes didn’t happen bc the electeds are all democrats, these outcomes happened bc they were bad policies. The same outcome would’ve happened if republicans passed the policies.
Policies actually matter regardless of the political affiliation of the electeds.
The people closest to me that were most influential in my decision to run happen to be democrats themselves but care about the city more than their political affiliation – they just want some competency, commonsense, and a return to normalcy instead of performative politics. According to polling, most democrats disagree with the direction city hall is going.
I hope to offer everyone, of all parties, a nonpartisan choice for good governance and a return to normalcy.
I see, Richard that you have changed your party affiliation, but you did not state your reasons for doing so. Was it political expedience? Or what? I agree that Todd and company have totally screwed up, but I don’t have any reason to believe that you would do any better. And because you were, until recently, registered Republican, I wouldn’t vote for you for anything, without a full-throated condemnation of the Trump administration.
Thank you, Richard, for your clarity. I hope this very fair and issues-based stance will set the tone during this upcoming campaign and we can stop the baseless mudslinging.
San Diegans are starved for information and are becoming informed voters. San Diego voters are tired of the negative attacks.
I think we all are increasing aware that Todd Gloria conned his way into office with lies and political talking points; does that sound like someone else who ran for President in 2024? But wait, Todd is a Democrat. Yes, more and more Democrats are realizing there is no daylight between Todd and DJT.
So that brings me back to my initial issue: Could we just stop these mindless character attacks and focus on Policies.
I encourage all of you to bring your thoughts and questions to Richard’s meet and greet sessions or go on his website: https://www.sandiegocomeback.com/ and ask him directly what’s on your mind. Ask him his views on how to take back our city and stop the dangerous continued loss of our private and public property rights as well as our free speech rights that are being trampled by this current city hall. That’s a conversation that will be welcomed, refreshing, and truly the most important discussion at a time of great peril for our city and its citizens.
“I think we all are increasing aware that Todd Gloria conned his way into office with lies and political talking points; does that sound like someone else”
Why yes Lisa, it does. It sounds like what Richard here is attempting to do.
A loud and proud Republican who up until recently served on the GOP central committee while often going on FOX News w/ Tucker Carlson wants us to believe he’s suddenly a non-partisan problem solver? That he’s cool jettisoning his entire ideology at the drop of a hat to win a city council race? Like Trump and Vance, this guy will say anything you want to hear if it means gaining power. By the way Richard, you said you didn’t vote for Harris in 24 so who did you vote for? And while we’re at it who did you vote for in 2016 and 2020? Seems like an important question you keep ignoring. I don’t like my elected officials to have supported fascists.
Bailey is insulting all our intelligence by asking us to not believe what our eyes clearly see – an incredibly transparent, carpetbagging move to gain higher office that asks us to ignore the totality of his previous ideology. Is that the kind of person we want in office Lisa? Setting aside party preference, I don’t want someone who is this desperate to hold office. I don’t like phonies. He couldn’t even be bothered to change his registration until last week!
There’s a full spectrum of Democrats running in D2 in 2026. Pick one of them. We don’t need a Conservative con artist who will say anything to get elected. We’ve already got that in the White House.
Hi D2:
Not sure why you won’t divulge your real name before you go on your rant. I love all your generalizations.
So, am I to assume because you are a democrat that you support Todd Gloria? Can you assure us that the current democrat candidates will be better at fiscal management, repairing and upgrading our infrastructure, or protecting our communities from the ravages of uncontrolled development? Will the democrat candidates cut their salaries, waive any further salary increases and cut their bloated staffing? These are the questions I want to ask all candidates.
Because you are democrat, does that mean you supported Jen Campbell? You know, Todd and Jen have been ardent supporters of Midway Rising and profited from the developer donations to their campaigns, and both happen to be democrats. So, since you are a democrat, do you support Midway Rising?
The difference between our emails D2 is that you are making accusations that have no actual proven link. I am making accusations that we know have taken place under this current all-democrat city hall.
Lisa, yes I did support Todd and if a real democratic challenger had run against him in 2024 I would have supported them. I do support more homes in D2 in places like Midway, which I know isn’t popular on this site but is my honest belief (and something voters have supported in two elections). As for the pay raises, we voted overwhelmingly as a city to link their salaries to those of local judges otherwise only rich people who didn’t need it could survive a full time job at a salary under 80K in San Diego.
As for my “accusations”, I don’t even know where to start other than these are the facts (per the Coronado Times) – Bailey ran for Congress as a Republican in 2022 but did not appear on the ballot for the primary in June 2022.
In 2020 and 2021, Bailey donated to the Republican Party of San Diego County, and in 2024, donated to a few Republican congressional candidates, including Kate Monroe and Steve Garvey, according to the Federal Election Commission.
He’s a Republican who is lying to you.
This morning he was asked THREE TIMES about Trump and declined to weigh in at all, saying “I think that voters want to talk about San Diego.”
Well Richard I want to know your stance on the tyrant in the white house before I even consider letting a republican into elected office here.
Again, if you don’t like Jen or Todd there are three Dems running very different campaigns right now that align with your values. Richard’s values speak for themselves – they’re cowardly, self-serving and demeaning. He thinks we’re dumb and will buy his switch. I know we won’t fall for it.
I loved your comment that you voted for Todd because he was the only democrat. So, are you happy that we have 100% democrats at city hall and are on the brink of bankruptcy?
I do not agree with measure L because our current clowns at city hall are bleeding taxpayers dry with litigation settlements. So, whether our city council members have law degrees or not, they certainly have allowed us to be on the losing side of legal cases. To have their salaries at the same level as judges is a joke. But again, you are satisfied because they are democrats.
You may think Richard is lying to you, but I really don’t care what party he is affiliated with because I like and believe in his policies. So, whatever party he is affiliated with is not my concern because he is against the trash tax and also paid parking at Balboa Park. You may favor these policies because they were dictated by Todd and his democrat council. But do you believe these tax and fees will bring down our ever-increasing debt? Richard is not at the mercy of the MEA which the current city hall is and could be a liability for your democrat candidates who will be under the influence of the powerful MEA.
D2, this is a non-partisan race and we need to put people before party. If you had done that in the last election, we wouldn’t be in the financial peril we are in. I guess you were swayed by the fact Todd told you that he was the son of a gardener and a maid? These are proven lies. But I guess they aren’t lies if they come from democrats?
D2, I have a feeling you are working for one of the competitor democrat candidates, which is of course your choice but I think it is what is behind your visceral attacks on someone who is subject to character assassinations from obviously very threatened democrats.
First, I don’t think Todd has done a good job at all but the idea that Larry Turner would have done a better job is extremely funny.
Secondly you may not like Measure L but it got 78% of the vote. I think Lori Zapf like Jen Campbell should have been paid a living wage for a full-time job, not sure why partisanship matters here.
Thirdly you talk about people over party yet every comment you’ve made here is about how terrible democrats are.
Fourth, even if we put aside politics and look at policy, he is WOEFULLY over his skis. This was his answer to what he would do in Midway this morning in the Voice, which I suggest you all read:
“I think some changes need to be made. Right now, Rosecrans, as you and I know, it’s a total cluster. Whether you’re driving there at 5 a.m. or 5 p.m. and the idea that you can have that level of development without some other type of traffic mitigation, I think it’s asking a lot of a lot of Point Loma residents. I’d like to see some changes in the plan, as relates to, as relates to traffic, as relates to parking. I do think the Sports Arena site should be redeveloped. But I do have some issues with the process for which the Midway Rising project was awarded and we’ll see if there’s an opportunity to address that in the future.”
We’ve been talking about midway for years at this point and this is the best he can come up with??? If you think that’s a guy who knows what he’s talking about I’ve got a Pier to sell you.
Also I don’t work for a D2 candidate, I just have opinions on who I want to see hold that seat. It’s why I said specifically – if you read my comments – “if you don’t like Jen or Todd there are three Dems running very different campaigns right now that align with your values.” One of them has values that align with everyone on this call without voting for someone who fully supports Donald Trump and has for years. Meanwhile you’re literally working for him so shouldn’t we take what you say with a grain of salt?
Finally, since you clearly know more about all this than I do, how will Richard do any of these things you’re talking about as the one man GOP caucus on the city council? I would think him holding this seat would lead to D2 being completely ostracized as the rest of the council could easily ignore the Trump supporter on the dais. It’ll lead to less money and less focus for this community, him not holding committee chair seats and being ignored (which means D2 would be ignored too).
Richard wants to hold power and he’ll throw away his lifelong belief structure to do it. He’s a low-rent JD Vance and I’m sure it’ll become apparent to D2 voters every day between now and the primary.
Before the vote on the trash fees KPBS had a report on how gutsy it was of Todd Gloria to finally address the absolutely unfair trash fee situation in SD. For years the city has known it needs to be fixed, no one wanted to get their hands dirty – pun intended. This is a gift to the future generations in SD where single-family homeowners will pay their fair share.
And extra disclosure, I am lucky to own a rental condo where I (i.e. the tenants as part of their rent) have to pay for private trash pickup and it is a higher fee than what I now pay the city for my single-family home.
In other words, he works in politics as an elected official lol.
What’s your position on trump?
So you just agreed that Coronado’s solution to homelessness is to drive them out of town and dump them somewhere else.
That won’t work in SD and you have provided zero ideas of how to deal with homelessness in SD. You can’t drive 10,000 people somewhere else.
I was going to drive them to Coronado.
In at least the last three elections democrats have propped up Republican candidates in order to knock the other Democrat contenders out in the primary election. Which cleared their way to then easily beat the Republican challenger roughly along party lines.
So pardon my skepticism if I’m not so easily convinced.
But I appreciate your response and look forward to learning more about how your priorities might align my neigborhood’s needs.
This is simple and not rocket science. The voters ought to investigate all the Independent candidates for being straight shooters.The voters ought to size up these Independents as for where they stand on ICE, social equality among the LGBT community, and more.
I never stated that Coronado currently dumps their homeless and mentally ill at random places. However, prior to 2021 Coronado absolutely did relocate them to downtown San Diego. Specifically, I saw many Coronado Police drop off homeless and mentally ill at the Neil Good Day Center. For decades. As do many other cities, hospitals, etc.
But since 04/20/2021, Coronado has a contract with Father Joe’s in downtown San Diego for 2 overnight shelter beds. This allows the Coronado Police to enforce their overnight camping ordinance by threaten them with jail or relocating to downtown San Diego. This is the only homeless resource the City of Coronado provides. This is an immediate solution for Coronado, with no short-term benefits for the poor.
All homeless in overnight shelter beds have to leave by 7 am the next morning with all their stuff in tow. So not even 24 hours of rest. There are no shelter beds available at Father Joe’s from 7 am to 5 pm for anyone.
http://tinyurl.com/20210420
After 7 am the homeless from the overnight shelter beds can walk to the nearby Neil Good Day Center (NGDC) on 17th Street that is opened from 6 am to 4 pm, weekdays, and 6 am to 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
https://www.sandiego.gov/homelessness-strategies-and-solutions/services/day-center
Then if the homeless and mentally ill from Coronado are lucky and stand in line early enough, they may, or may not, get another chance at an overnight shelter bed at Father Joe’s from 5 pm to 7 am the next day.
If not they are now out of luck, and are now the City of San Diego’s problem. Thus moving the problem from Coronado to the City of San Diego. Great for Coronado that keeps their 2 overnight shelter beds open the next day for the Coronado Police just in case. But not San Diego.
Every night in downtown San Diego there are thousands of unsheltered homeless that have to live in tents on our streets. Because there are not enough shelter beds in the City of San Diego, the San Diego Police Department cannot enforce the overnight camping ordinance on the books.
Agree that Mayor Todd Gloria and the rest of the local City Council Democrats do not care, and are beholden to the City Unions.
Also agree with repealing or reducing the excessive trash and parking fees.
Let’s also add that the increase in San Diego homelessness is due to long term tenants being evicted so the developers can tear down the existing affordable housing to build more ugly boxes that are like jail cells.
Todd and the city council are beholden to developers which I know we all agree with, but this is part of the fallout due to the city’s handing developers the keys to city hall. More and more people are thrown out on the streets.
The city’s policies to close these shelters and safe lots during the day or making RV’s have to leave the site are more failed policies.
Meanwhile, the city continues to hire and create jobs with starting salaries in the 6-figures. Our deficit continues to balloon to a point of peril.
The city council and Todd Gloria need to Pop the City’s Staffing balloon and put a moratorium on development. Otherwise, we won’t have communities anymore but a bunch of ant colonies.
Lisa, I find it remarkable how much we agree on. I totally agree with all you have said in this last post. What I fail to understand is why you think Bailey is the answer. What policies are you referring to? To be against the Paid parking at the park and the very unpopular trash fees isn’t policy. It’s just a political hack looking for leverage.
What are the visceral attacks and character assassinations you are referring to? I missed those.
I am a lifelong Democrat who voted for the Republican in the last mayoral election. Not because I thought he was a good candidate but because I could see how bad T.G. was. The lesser of two evils, if you will. But you cannot say that we would not be on the brink of bankruptcy if Turner had been elected because we just don’t know what would have happened. It’s hypothetical.
Here’s the rub, is it a character assassination to say Trump is a fascist? How about those who support him? Are they fascists or just collaborators? And if you are looking for threats to our civil rights, look no farther than Donald J. Trump and his Republican party. They are kidnapping our neighbors, tearing families apart, sending people to God-forsaken hell-holes in third world countries. All without any due process. He is using all the power of the federal government to threaten and intimidate anyone who speaks against his actions. And you are worried about Todd Gloria? As a threat to our rights? really?
So, while this is a non-partisan race, I would like to know how Mr. Bailey feels about the fascists. It’s kind of a character question. I wouldn’t vote for a supporter of fascism. Would you?
John, I was a lifelong Democrat and worked with the Resistance after DJT was elected in 2016. I was elated when Joe Biden won in 2020. But after a scattershot campaign in 2024 that handed the election to DJT in 2024, that was crushing. We are living out this nightmare every day. I have been to the No Kings marches and feel revived after each march that more and more people are participating. But it only temporarily soothes the soul.
Then locally Todd Gloria was reelected. That’s when I left the democrat party.
The difference between Larry Turner, who, for the record, was and still is an Independent not Republican, was honest about the state of our city’s finances. He talked about the peril of bankruptcy for our city. But Todd denied this repeatedly and the voters wanted to believe his more positive forecast.
Todd Gloria was banking on Measure E passing so he could prop up the city’s debt with the sales tax. But when Measure E failed, Todd was furious at those who voted against the measure. He was in denial and took his anger out on single family homeowners because he wanted to divide the constituency in order to maintain his power and influence. This is exactly how DJT is governing, with power and a maniacal style. 2025 was a rough year for Todd and the city council and I believe there is a push back and ‘resistance’ locally against this Pay to Play culture at city hall. I believe as will be the case nationally, locally we will see a resistance to city hall with wins from candidates that do not want to continue to toe the line with the powerful MEA and city councilmembers continuing to kowtow to Todd.
I hope that we will get a council majority elected of community advocates who will coalesce with Raul Campillo to take back our city and make the needed changes to our city’s finances, cutting the bloated staff, and stop taxing and surcharging us to death.
I have seen Richard’s Instagram posts, and he appears to be the only candidate that wants to address the city’s budget deficit and I believe he too will have an ally in Raul Campillo. I want to build a coalition of councilmembers who will vote in the majority to make the hard choices needed to save our city. Currently, Campillo is fighting the fight of resistance by himself. He needs others who have the same views of fiscal responsibility, and let’s hope that Campillo will agree to cut staff and the influence of the MEA.
Because, John, let’s face it our city is broke and has no money for anything other than paying salaries and city pensions. Meanwhile our city’s infrastructure is falling apart and broken. Charging for parking will not change this equation and charging a tax fee that 50% will go to pay down the debt is also not the answer. The city received the highest revenue ever from property taxes. This is due to the high property values and the increase in the number of real properties generating tax revenue.
Meanwhile, Todd is looking for his next job and goes out of town frequently to Sacramento and Washington D.C. Yet, who is minding the store?
This is my emphasis, John. I do not live in D2, D4, D6 or D8 but I am learning about the candidates who are running for these districts so if elected, they will form a majority of community advocates to turn our city around.
I am focused on local because I believe we are at a do or die moment for our city. Nationally and internationally, there is chaos and I vehemently disagree with our current administration, but my priority is to get my city’s house in order.
If you believe there are council candidates who are speaking out about our city’s financial peril, please provide me their names and I would very much like to speak with them.
I’m very glad to hear this, Lisa. We do agree on most everything. Where I see daylight between us is your belief that Bailey is a conservative and will do the things he says he will. I’m skeptical. And as I said before, unless he denounces Trump and his actions, he is in my book, a nazi collaborator, and I wouldn’t vote for him for toilet cleaner.
John, in your former post, you stated: “What are the visceral attacks and character assassinations you are referring to?”
In your last post you stated: “he is in my book, a nazi collaborator,”
As someone of the Jewish faith, I am offended by your statement and believe it to be a ‘character assassination’. I also believe that I would be able to detect a “nazi collaborator”.
But to get back to more important discussion, I stated: “If you believe there are council candidates who are speaking out about our city’s financial peril, please provide me their names and I would very much like to speak with them.”
I hope you will hereon stick to the issues and provide me names of candidates who are speaking out about our city’s financial peril and you will leave the vulgar labels out of your next reply.
Thank you.
I’m sorry, Lisa, if I offended you. But I don’t think you need to follow the Jewish faith to spot a nazi. And anyone who supports Trump is, as I said before, a nazi supporter and collaborator. That’s my position and we can argue about it all day, if you wish.
As to your demand that I produce some good candidates, sorry again, I can’t do that. I don’t know if they exist.
I still, however, think that the fascist takeover of our federal government is an important issue.
What about Jews who support Trump? I work in the same building with two.
There are many of Jewish heritage that are fascists. Take Bibi Netanyahu and the rapist, Ehud Barak. Apparently, some people would object to me calling them nazis, so for the sake of argument, I’ll just call them fascists. This very fine distinction, however, could be lost on a starving child, living on the streets of Gaza. And there are many here, of Jewish heritage who support Trump. Jared Kushner, for instance…,
I am right there with you, Lisa. 4th gen native of D2, OBcean, and though I am a registered D, I will not vote any Democrats for City Council nor County BOS. All of you who voted for Jen Campbell (twice) and opposed her recall, on here ranting about Richard Bailey, can kick rocks. Campbell, like Todd Gloria, has been absolutely atrocious. At least Lori Zapf showed up for more than photo ops in OB. She didn’t ignore her constituents like ‘Dr. Jen’ (vomit). I appreciated Zapf’s advocacy getting the 4-way stop installed at Ebers & Saratoga (Ebers St Park/OB Rec Center). I think Bailey would be a huge upgrade from Do-Nothing Jen. Time for a change, because what we have had to endure the past 7 years is disgraceful.
Ah yes, a “registered democrat” who loves to /checks @lioness4good, Marianna Kat’s twitter handle/ retweet The Trump White House, End Wokeness, Ted Cruz, Jim Desmond, Rand Paul, Paulina Luna, Fox News, Homeland Security and Greg Abbott among others. Obviously you’d be a Richard Bailey supporter (you did retweet his announcement video as well) and won’t vote for any democrats because, like Mr. Bailey, you’re a Trump Republican who doesn’t want to be honest about it!
Retweets do not equal endorsements, creep. Yep still registered Dem. I vote for whomever makes most sense for the job. I vote for Greens, Indies, Dems and I would consider voting for a Republican if I wanted. Sharing what is happening in the world with my diverse followers does not make me a Trump voter. Sorry you have a myopic view of people and our world. Maybe you should stick to Boohoosky, since you seem triggered to people’s right to freedom of expression D2StaysBlue? Have a nice day :)
“boohoosky”? “triggered”? Yeah, definitely the kinds of things a Democrat would say. I just find it fascinating going through your timeline that you did not retweet or post a single Democratic or liberal/progressive thing (and you certainly do tweet a lot!) but happily and consistently filled your timeline with fascists who are actively destroying this country. As your boy Ben Shapiro says, facts don’t care about your feelings! I’m sure your MAGA hat looks great, just like Mr. Bailey’s does.
Richard Bailey does not give a crap about District 2. If elected, he will spend all his time and effort positioning himself for a mayoral run.
Richard Bailey is also closely aligned with Amy Reichert -a truly evil person -who dragged Nick Shirley to SD to create fake video on voter registration and daycare subsidy abuse. Just google Nick Shirley and UPS store to see what I am talking about. I’d honestly take another incompetent MD or dentist over people like that. But luckily we don’t have to.
Mandy Havlik has been working for our community and our district for years. She has proven that she cares about the district and she has my vote
Johnny, in the main, Americans discount character then rail against those without perceived character, a catch 22. We are a most disingenuous people. Politically pure and selfless candidates are tossed to the wayside. Mister Bailey has much to lose and therein is his dilemma. He cannot possibly come clean on ICE, LGBT, and other so-called social issues which transcend city government. Sadly, and sickly as it is, the voters don’t give a damn. This lady Lisa is one of those deniers. She is subconsciously unaware of her own actions. Selling your soul to untruths and avoidance is weakness. You ought to check out a cat named Dan on the ballot, a nearly 70-year resident of the district and philosopher/toilet cleaner.
Come on, Giles, me and Lisa were having a nice conversation. She seems to be highly intelligent. I say that because she and I agree on so much, and as I consider myself highly intelligent, I would have to ascribe the same to her. I believe that when confronted with facts and reason, she just might change her mind, just as I might. So, don’t diss her or dismiss her, engage, and use facts and reason to change her mind.
As to Dan, I am familiar with him. He does wax philosophical at times, and sometimes he even makes sense, but something about his demeanor and some of the things he says, or has said, seem to turn people off. I don’t think he has much of a chance.
Full disclosure, I am no longer a D2 voter. I got priced out and now live in Rancho Bernardo. I am still interested however, and sometimes even involved in issues around our beaches and bays. That’s why I troll these pages. Well, that’s just one of the reasons. another is that I can spout off all day long here and they actually publish it. Not like the U-T or the Times. The Rag also covers many stories that you won’t see in the U-T or the Times.
This lady Lisa is one of those deniers. She is subconsciously unaware of her own actions.
While you masquerade as Giles, Dan Smear cow ski. How do you justify your postings here as a transparent D2 candidate? Untruths, avoidance, disingenuous, character, is quite the spiel you present.
Here are some facts to consider in the D2 race: 1) There are 13 candidates at present who took out paperwork. 2) It’s anybody’s guess how many will qualify for the ballot. 3) The monied candidates pose an interesting irony. 4) Those pursuing the most cash will in all likelihood cancel each other out by fracturing the vote. 5) There are approximately 70,000 registered district voters who never cast a ballot. 6) A lower tier nobody who gets his message out by campaigning until he is blue in the face may have a chance however small. Let the fat lady sing! Research ALL candidates.
Not really, with all the people, Coyne will have the advantage to continue Todd’s agenda.
Hi Frank,
I’ve received no call or email from you. We have record of Bailey recently switching his registration. I sent in an email to OB Rag, and would like to chat about this.
Thanks for reaching out. I did send you an email via the platform. Unless you already have it, please contact me via obragblog@gmail.com
In Nextdoor, Richard Bailey is stating he changed his registration before the OB Rag article was published, and then tried to blame the lag time for the County Registrar of Voters to change his registration. Then he mentioned that he changed his party before he turned in his papers to City Hall. Paperwork for District 2 elections were due to the City Clerk on 03/05/2026.
Seems fishy. I cannot find the link in Nextdoor right now, but I read his excuse yesterday blaming the OB Rag for getting it wrong.
If would be a great idea for Richard Bailey to confirm exactly the date he changed his registration from Republican to Independent, so he can stop blaming the County for lagging in making his supposed change, and OB Rag for confirming his party designation at the time the first article was written.
Wow, you certainly have interesting priorities, La Playa Heritage. Our city has a ballooning deficit; headed to bankruptcy, our city council is in the pocket of developers, and you are obsessed with someone’s party affiliation in a non-partisan race.
So, who will you hold accountable for the corruption and chaos of our current all-democrat city hall? Candidate Richard Bailey because he’s not a democrat? Interesting reasoning.
Those who have invested their lives in this city are concerned about the peril of our city’s ballooning budget deficit and we want answers from the council candidates. I know that I for one would like all the candidates to address this because it may not be exclusive to D2 but sadly we all will either sink or swim if we continue to kick the can down the road.
I am only interested to have the record corrected. Great that he changed. But not great that he is blaming the County and probably falsely stating the OB Rag was not correct in their reporting facts. It is easy for him to set the record straight. Did he change from Republican to independent before or after the initial article?
Lisa I know this may surprise you but some of us actually still care about the character of someone running to represent us before anything else. You can keep saying this is a non-partisan race but let’s remember the facts about Mr. Bailey:
He is a carpetbagging Trump Republican – high enough up the political ladder that he often went on Fox News with Tucker Carslson and served on the San Diego County Republican Central Committee – who believes we District 2 residents are dumb enough to accept he’s suddenly had a political awakening and is becoming an independent (meanwhile Kevin Faulconer introduced him at his kickoff event, which also was attended by mostly Republicans). He does not care about this district because he is so hungry for power he’s just going to immediately run for mayor in 2028 if he wins this seat. That’s what everyone was saying in the video of his event.
Beyond his conservative values in no way being representative of the district he wants to serve and has barely moved into (was his recent D2 candidate forum in Clairemont the first time he’s been there?), his “I’m a policy focused fixer” is also a laughable lie. The public interviews he’s done, like with VoSD, show a barely passing understanding of the issues D2 faces. His answer about Midway? Comically bad. He’s got three things he can talk about but ask him about issues 4 and beyond he sounds completely out of his depth, which is really sad because he’s clearly been planning this for awhile. He would also be one vote on city council whose ideas will be rejected and whose district will be a pariah because he’ll be the only republican on the council. Those are real impacts.
I know I’m passionate about this but I am frankly insulted by Mr. Bailey’s transparent and gross power grab here. It reminds me of JD Vance – nakedly doing whatever he feels necessary to gain power no matter what his previous positions were. He could have done this a bunch of different ways – moved here years ago, made a big deal about leaving the Republican Party and be open about why he no longer believes in everything he once held dear – but he’s lazy and smug and thinks we’ll just all believe him.
Well the good news is he clearly wrong about that. D2 residents what, first and foremost, someone who represents THEIR values and will send this carpetbagging, three-time Trump voter packing just like we did Lori Zapf, Kevin Faulconer and Bonnie Dumanis.
Thanks for your admonishments, D2staysblue. I understand your narrow focus, but what confuses me is why you don’t want to reveal your name? Is it because your accusations are unfounded? I would think if the character assassinations that you recite were true, you would want to put your name by it. Just a thought.
For the record, I was a lifelong democrat who was disgusted with the reelection of Fraud Gloria. This current council is the most corrupt we have had. So, I decided to become ‘no party preference’ so that I wouldn’t be blindly hypocritical by bashing just one party. I am moderate and vote for the person. If Richard were a democrat, I wonder what you would say about him then?
Me having a user name does nothing to make what I’m saying incorrect. I keep asking you to point me to what lies I’m telling about Mr. Bailey so, again, tell me what’s unfounded?
Is it a lie that he’s a lifelong Coronado Republican who moved across the Bay in a desperate attempt to hold power?
Is it a lie that he’s a three time Trump voter:?
Is it a lie that he was a constant presence on Fox News, even going on with the horrible Tucker Carlson?
Is it a lie that he is a former member of the GOP central committee?
Is it a lie that he is throwing away 20 years of being a Republican in a smug and gross manner to convince low information Dems that he’s actually non-partisan when he’s stated no change in his ideology?
Is it a lie that if he would win he would immediately start running for Mayor, leaving D2 as a pariah district that is no longer represented by someone who sits on committees or will be routinely ignored because he’s the only Trump Republican on the council?
Is it a lie he cannot even be bothered to make one of his videos IN San Diego, let alone his district?
Lisa, where are my lies? Point them out to me or have your good friend Mr. Bailey dispute them. He got in the area, maybe he can be a big enough man to defend himself against this “character assassination,” or maybe he’s silent because it’s all true.
D2, there’s no need to engage in this gutter discussion. You have already made your decision to vote Democrat and that’s your right.
We are looking for different aspects when researching our selections on candidates. I say, let’s take the high road and leave it at that.
Good luck and may the best candidate win who will have the leadership skills to go against the Fraud Gloria administration and save our city from financial ruin.
“There’s no need to engage in this gutter discussion.” Lisa, you said that my accusations were unfounded and I was posting character assassinations. Now, when faced with a mountain of evidence that your guy is Trump supporter who’s lying to his potential constituents, you want to take the high road? I’m sorry my evidence was too strong to overcome and that you would rather wave a white flag than admit every single thing I said was true. I’m happy to stop now but I want to be clear – I will not let Mr. Bailey or his supporters get away with gaslighting the people of the D2 in these comment sections by suggesting he’s a “get it done independent” when he is an out of touch, carpetbagging Trump supporter who only moved here to eventually run for Mayor in 2028.
I’m sorry you find a guy like that someone you can support.
You forgot he is still closely aligned with Amy Reichert who was tagging him this weekend on FB. She is true scum who recently was harassing Somali daycare owners in SD and making videos with that dumb right wing kid.
Let’s show him the door and hope he moves on to the next city or district.
Found the like from Richard Bailey in Nextdoor.
https://nextdoor.com/p/mqsrfGLRy2nf/c/1552962155?init_source=notification_center
“Richard Bailey
2d
Point Loma Heights East
Fletcher
– to be clear, my registration was changed before the OB Rag article stated it wasn’t. The registrar’s website had simply not been updated but the actual date stamps reflect the change occurred before I filed to run for office.”
That makes sense. When I changed party affiliation, it did take a day or two. I also applied on a weekday. So this is consistent.
Will the Rag issue a correction to their misstatement?
Also, the link from Next-door Richard Bailey explains his positions clearly.
Now I’d love the candidates to tell us how they plan to resolve the budget issue. Will the candidates take PAC money from the MEA? Will the candidates agree to forego any raises (which are currently automatic) for their full term in office or if they are able to eliminate the deficit? Will they cut staffing by 30%, but keep front line workers?
These are serious questions we need to ask the candidates. Then vote for the candidate not beholden to the MEA, or any special interest. We must ask the hard questions.
This is a very important election and we must vote for a candudate that is not going to tow the line but will affect change to save our city’s future.
What day did Richard go to the County Register of Voter and change his voter registration from Republican to Independent? Before or after the original 02/20/2026 OB Rag article?
Ha! For your information, La Playa, you can change your registration online. It takes a day or two for the Registrar to get back yo you with confirmation.
Agree it may take a few days for the Registrar of voters to make changes in their database.
But it does not answer the question if Richard Bailey changed his party registration from Republic to Independent before or after the orinigal OB Rag article. As far as I remember, after Editor Dude found the information at the Registrar, Richard Bailey immediately went down and changed his party only after the OB Rag article was out.
Is he now gaslighting us into thinking Frank got it wrong in the first place or it was the fault of the Registrar of Voters, and he deserves an apology from the OB Rag for publishing wrong info?
Again. What day did Richard go to the County Register of Voter and change his voter registration from Republican to Independent? Before or after the original 02/20/2026 OB Rag article?
Again, I am not focused on this detail. Our city presently is in dire financial shape. I am focused on the issues and the person (not party) most qualified for the job. However, you may want to reach out to D2 stays blue because this seems to be an obsession of theirs as well.
I think caring about the personal politics and ideology of someone who wants to represent D2 is a pretty normal thing Lisa. Richard Bailey may think that voters can be duped into believing he’s not the three-time Trump-voting Republican carpetbagger that he is, but I know almost everyone who will vote deserves to know that and to know that they would be voting in someone who’s values (which he still holds) are NOT representative of this district. To wave it away shows a complete lack of understanding of how people engage in politics and it’s why Mr. Bailey’s quixotic quest to become councilmember will fail.
The details of possibly lying, gaslighting, blaming others rather than yourself, acknowledging reality, and asking for other for apologies because you are caught in a lie on another message board is very concerning.
Agree it is not a big deal to change party. I have changed parties myself back and forth several times between Democrat and Independent. I voted for Kevin Faulconer and volunteered for Republican turned Independent Larry Turner for Mayor.
The cover up is bigger than the crime.
If he changed his registration after the original OB Rag article, the best thing Richard Bailey could have done is thank Frank for the heads up.
Now if it is found that he lied to voters, then he should apologize to the OB Rag, Nextdoor neighbors, and the Registrar of Voter, and stop making stupid unforced errors.
Thanks La Playa; the Rag did not get it wrong. Technically, when our article was published, Bailey was still formally registered with the Registrar as a Republican. He changed his affiliation perhaps during the time we were researching and publishing his status. But at the time of our post, we were correct. He changed it right after — whether or not he changed it due to the article.
“However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.” – George Washington