San Diego City Council District 3: The Race Is for Second Place
Winning the third district seat can be a stepping stone for a life dedicated to public service. In 2020 there are four Out-Democrats running, along with a young woman recruited to be a sacrificial lamb by the Republican Party.
District 3 includes Downtown, Balboa Park, and the neighborhoods of Bankers Hill, Golden Hill, Hillcrest, Little Italy, Middletown, Mission Hills, Normal Heights, North Park, Old Town, Park West, South Park, and University Heights.
The district has been represented by gay politicians on the City Council since 1993, when Christine Kehoe -- who’d led the fight in San Diego against a LaRouche backed initiative, authorizing state sponsored quarantines for HIV patients-- won the primary by beating nine other candidates. When she ran for a second term on the City Council, she won with 79% of the vote.
Since then Toni Atkins, Todd Gloria and Chris Ward have all represented D3 and gone (or are going) on to bigger and better things in politics.
I don’t see a huge difference between the Democrats running this year politically speaking. Stephen Whitburn has much of the Democratic party apparatus behind him, and that should be enough to get him through to the general election.
Other Democrats in this race have significant relationships with community groups. The top two vote getters will advance to the November general election.
There is, based on what I’ve been able to read, one candidate who’s daring to differentiate themselves from the rest.
Chris Olsen has taken a stand in favor of the rehabilitation of the 30th street corridor (despite having reservations about how we got there). It’s an indication of a bigger picture view that’s been characterized as YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard).
The most controversial aspect of this particular change will be the creation of protected bike lanes from South Park to the Adams Avenue corridor. Doing this means eliminating parking on 30th. The spaces aren’t disappearing so much as parking in the neighborhood is being reshuffled.
Hearing the chatter on Next Door, you’d think civilization and commerce were doomed. And there are a few very loud individuals hurling accusations and misinformation at every opportunity.
The “you’re taking something from me” line of thought has become the go-to defense for people unwilling to acknowledge the existential danger the world is facing.
One of the editorial writers at the Union-Tribune used his interview time with a candidate to assert “...so much of our transportation policy seems to be motivated by elites’ animus towards cars?”
Conflating the consequences of failing to take an action fighting global warming with a disdain for an imagined conspiracy is the high-brow version of “my granny won’t be able to park in front of her favorite bar.”
Our reliance on cars as the only viable mode of transportation is killing the planet. We should have started to transition away from a chariot per person a couple of decades ago.
So, yes, I’m taking a stand here. I live in North Park. A disability makes riding a bike not an option. My line in the sand is saying no to the we can’t change crowd. This is also a matter of “me” vs “we,” a conflict at the heart of what’s wrong in the world these days.
I believe my neighborhood can prosper and play a role in fighting the increase in greenhouse gases threatening the future.
The Union-Tribune has done an admirable public service in publishing interviews with candidates for all the major offices in San Diego, giving readers the opportunity to see where those seeking to serve the public stand on a variety of issues. The transcripts include “uhs and ums” so there would be no misunderstanding about context.
(The term “money quote” in my listings of candidates means I’ve picked something out from the UT interviews that seemed to characterize the candidate.)
Okay, sermon over. On to the candidates…
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Toni Duran has worked in the local state Assembly and Senate offices of Toni Atkins. Her work has included housing issues, as well as issues concerning women, veterans, the LGBTQ+ community, human trafficking, and arts and culture.
A big part of her vision for the district is the creation of a new mechanism for community and neighborhood feedback, namely a Neighborhood Leadership Group (NLG). Along with constituent outreach, community office hours and town halls, she’s seeking to ensure residents are able to fully understand and participate in important issues far in advance of when decisions are made.
Why she’s running:
District 3 is a community full of people and places that matter deeply to me. It’s where hundreds of volunteers came together to fight Prop 8 and ended up becoming a family. It’s watching fireworks while sitting on a blanket in Bird Park, movie nights in Trolley Barn Park, pie eating contests in Pioneer Park, and summer concerts all over the district. It’s picking up a freshly made tortilla in Old Town, catching a game at Petco Park, listening to local bands up and down Adams Avenue, and popping into one of your favorite restaurants, where everyone knows you and knows your food order.
Like any home, District 3 also has areas that need work. Right now, housing is a critical issue. As a queer woman of color, I too have struggled with employment and housing instability. If it weren’t for the kindness of friends, I too could have been one of the far too many living in cars or sleeping on the street. But we don’t just need more housing, we need housing that is affordable. This is an amazing district full of art, culture, opportunity and wonderful people. Community members shouldn’t be forced out or kept out because prices are making homes increasingly unattainable.
Link to Union-Tribune interview:
Money quote
So we’ve been knocking doors for that for the last couple of months. People are not used to someone coming to their door and wanting to hear from them. We go to doors and we talk at them so many times. So we’re going, we’re knocking on the door. It’s like, this is who I am. A quick little bit about me. I’m here to find out because I go to these meetings, but I know not everybody can.
So I want to find out from you... What’s the city doing right? What does the city need to do better for your neighborhood? What do you need here? What’s going to help you? What are these, what are the issues that you’re seeing? Because I know what I hear, but that’s from the same couple of people that are able to come to these meetings. I want to hear from more folks and that’s how I hear about basketball courts. Nobody’s talking about basketball courts with the planning commissions.
Organizational Endorsements: Run Women Run
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Adrian Kwiatkowski is, in fact, a lobbyist whose role in shaping policy with non-profits has touched just about every San Diegan. Whether it’s the city’s Clean Needle Exchange or the Smoke-Free Beaches Ordinance, the switch to the “strong mayor” form of government, or his work in launching the VA Aspire Center, his influence is there. He is a member of the Mission Hills Town Council.
Adrian’s Big Ideas include a $500 million bond for the November 2022 election to address the deferred maintenance in Balboa Park and asking voters to approve a parcel tax dedicated to establishing a reliable funding source for maintenance and projects for the crown jewel of our city.
Why he’s running:
As your Councilmember, I will use my twenty-five years of experience in public policy advocacy, community outreach, environmental stewardship, small business know-how and community service to tackle these problems. I have a professional career and volunteer history of getting things done.
I know how City Hall works and I know how City Hall does not work. Having been a community leader, I am sensitive to the concerns of our neighborhoods. With your support, I have a track-record of results and a history of experience that is ready to get to work on day one.
Link to Union-Tribune interview
Money quote
So I’m someone that, uh, is focused on accomplishing things. That’s my ultimate goal. I want to get things done. I want to have success. I have specific plans on a number of topics, whether it’s a Balboa Park, creating the climate change department. I also support, uh, ending this ongoing litigation over the pension issue. And just, you know, bringing that to a close, restoring a pension benefits, uh, and also putting the city employees back on social security. Um, so I have concrete proposals out there, not just sloganeering. Um, and I have been aggressively talking to voters out there. I’m out there almost every day knocking on doors.
And so I know San Diego, I know how we talk big, but act small at the end of the day. And that’s why I want to bring to city hall the knowledge and ability to move the dialogue, to move the ball forward, to build coalitions, to actually get things done downtown
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Military reservist Michelle Nguyen decided to run for office in October, but had an obligation for training overseas through November. With support and encouragement from the Republican Party of San Diego County, she was able to complete paperwork in time to make the ballot.
Why she’s running:
I’m 25, therefore I’m too young to have deep ties with special interest groups. I will never say “this is the way we’ve always done it” because I’m not heavily influenced by old habits. I have a business and logistics background from the military and corporate world, so my brain is wired to literally solve problems with little to no resources. In addition to my ingenuity, I not only understand, but live by a strict code of conduct. In the role of City Councilwoman, that is the fiduciary duty to the taxpayers.
My experience in government contracting has seasoned me into a professional that is innovative in a space that is heavily regulated by federal, state, and local laws. I have the energy and fresh ideas to launch San Diego into a future that is prosperous and bright for people from all walks of life. I will be a steadfast steward for all San Diegans in District 3.
Link to Union-Tribune interview: “Candidate Michelle Nguyen was unavailable.”
Interview at “San Diego News Desk”, a media creation of the San Diego GOP
Money quote
Because of my background in negotiating and managing multimillion-dollar contracts, I am dedicated to safeguarding taxpayer money. I believe I can do that by not taking away the needed programs for our infrastructure and homelessness, but reforming the way the city spends money. Firm-Fixed-Price awards to the lowest bidder for contractors has a high risk of a product or service being done with poor quality. My contracting background will look to utilize creative contract types like Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee with favorable terms and conditions for both parties. I also believe we need to reform the way we manage projects—due diligence for a contractor is due diligence for the taxpayer.
Endorsements: Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce, San Diego County Gun Owners, San Diego Republican Party
Chris Olsen has worked for San Diego’s Independent Budget Analyst and is a lecturer on fiscal policy at SDSU. His Big Ideas include a three-pronged, housing-first approach to homelessness, including: Rapidly re-housing the newly homeless who have suffered a financial setback or medical emergency, Permanent supportive housing and long-term, needs-based assistance for the chronically homeless, and Bringing services and housing directly to people citywide.
Why he’s running:
“I’m ready to lead. I envision a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable San Diego that welcomes neighbors, new and old, with safe communities, plentiful housing options for all income levels, compassionate services for our most vulnerable, and world-class amenities that link us to job centers here in our region and across the globe. I know how to turn ideas into real solutions. Please join me and let’s get to work!”
Link to Union-Tribune interview
Money quote
This election, we’re going to have five new members of a nine member city council. It means a majority of the city council could potentially be new and inexperienced. And I think that I am bringing a level of knowledge of the issues, knowledge of where we’ve fallen short and ideas about how to work together to do better, uh, to the table. And then I’m going to have the conviction and energy and drive and that’s gonna make me do the hard work.
I have no illusions about this job being glamorous. It’s really hard, but the challenges that we face as a city are important enough that it’s time to step up and show leadership and make this a city, um, that’s ready to, to move into the next era ready to come into its own. We’re going to be a leader regionally and nationwide on housing, homelessness and the climate, cause I know we can do it.
Endorsements: Bike San Diego, YIMBY Democrats, Downtown San Diego Partnership
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Stephan Whitburn’s service to the community as a non profit manager currently includes coordinating charitable efforts for cancer patients as a program director for the Red Cross. Other volunteer work has included serving on advisory panels for the City and County of San Diego, the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation Board of Directors, the Greater San Diego Business Association Advocacy Committee, and as Vice Chair of the North Park Planning Committee.
Whitburn has run for office twice, losing to Todd Gloria in 2008 by a narrow margin for the D# Council seat, and in 2010, coming up short in an attempt to unseat County Supervisor Ron Roberts. His institutional support all but guarantees he’ll make it through to the general election.
Why he’s running:
“I want a city that is going to rise to these challenges of our time and that’s go... ...I’ve lived in the neighborhoods of District Three for over 19 years. So I know the neighborhoods. I know a lot of the people, the people know me. They know that I’m somebody who will really listen carefully to different perspectives and work hard to craft positive solutions. I believe that I’ve earned people’s trust, and I will use that trust to try to create a better quality of life for everybody in District Three. (Excerpted from the Union Tribune interview)
Link to Union-Tribune interview:
Money quote
We are behind on achieving our climate action goals. And I think one of the challenges that the independent budget analyst, uh, identified and that resonates with me is that the City Council has been looking at funding the various steps toward achieving our climate action goals on an annual basis, uh, looking at the, uh, budget in sort of a a one-year timeframe.
The independent budget analyst is recommending that the council be presented during the budget cycle with a five-year projection of the steps that need to be taken to meet the climate action goals and the funding that will be required to do that, uh, providing it to the council and the mayor. Uh, and I think that kind of context is really important. It will give, uh, the elected officials an idea of where we are, uh, where we’re going, what we need to do to get there, what the funding is. I think context is important. I think if we do that, we’ll be much more likely to stay on track to achieving those schools because we do need to stay on track to them.
Organizational Endorsements: San Diego County Democratic Party, SD Democrats for Equality, SD Uptown Democratic Club, SD Downtown Democratic Club, SD County Young Democrats, SD County Democrats for Environmental Action, University City Democratic Club, Veterans Democratic Club SD, Blue Dream Democrats of SD County, SD Progressive Democratic Club, SD Vegan Democrats, Martin Luther King Jr. Democratic Club SD, SD Unity League, National Union of Healthcare Workers, SD Municipal Employees Association, SD Police Officers Association, Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, Unite Here Local 30, Laborers' Union Local 89
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