OB Rag Endorses Democrat Martha Abraham for District 4 of San Diego City Council

The OB Rag is endorsing Martha Abraham for the District 4 seat on the San Diego City Council. Abraham is a registered Democrat running in a intra-party race (two Democrats) and her core campaign endorsement roster features major environmental, healthcare, and labor organizations.

Over the last year or so, careful observers of City Hall have noticed Abraham’s activism which is rooted in her community. She has shown a commitment to responsible planning and growth, environmental justice, historic preservation, and putting residents first. She has voiced opposition to some of the City’s poorly thought out upzoning policies (like the Bonus Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Program and the under-the-radar rezoning in her community known as Footnote 7), which were supported by past and current City Councilmembers.

She believes San Diego can address its housing needs while protecting the character and qualities that make each neighborhood unique. These words, “People first, always,” express her community service mindset and desire to help build a better San Diego for all.

About Martha Abraham
Martha Abraham is a registered nurse (who works in a hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)), immigrant, mom, small business owner, and long time District 4 resident. From working at patients’ bedsides to founding her own nurse-owned home care practice, Martha has dedicated her career to putting people first. Her advocacy helped repeal a hidden, targeted change to the City’s Municipal Code — Footnote 7 — that increased the density of some lower density areas without going through a proper amendment process, and she continues to champion housing equity, neighborhood revitalization, and economic opportunity.

Demonstrating her leadership and residents’ belief in her, Martha won her place on the November ballot during the June primary with support from community members— not PACs or corporate donors. She is committed to bringing independent, people-first leadership to City Hall.

She has been endorsed by the following organizations:

• Sierra Club San Diego Chapter endorsed Abraham based on her environmental justice advocacy, air quality concerns, and land-use stance in southeastern San Diego
• United Nurses Associations of California (UNAC),
• Run Women Run, the prominent regional PAC that backs pro-choice female candidates
• La Prensa,
• San Diego Voice and Viewpoint,
• San Diego City Firefighters Local 145, and
• the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Of special importance to us for our endorsement is the fact that her rival, incumbent Henry Foster did not support the community in its quest to repeal Footnote 7 or demand answers. He did not suggest the repeal of Footnote 7 — the city planning department did, so thanks goes to them for the repeal of Footnote 7, not Henry Foster.  This is an important fact the community will never forget.

One other thought: many are concerned that Martha comes to the campaign as someone who doesn’t have “governance” experience. Todd Gloria came to the mayor’s office with lots of experience — and look where that got us. But more importantly, Donna Frye — today revered as one of San Diego’s greatest civic leaders – didn’t have any “governance” experience either when she was first elected to the city council. And again, Donna was nearly elected as mayor she was so popular. Today, her popularity has only grown. And so will Martha’s. For all these reasons, the Rag endorses Martha Abraham.