Thank you for this insightful post. I think you highlight an extremely important issue here - we have come to a point where near-constant harassment of progressive elected officials, women, especially women of color is condoned, ignored, and accepted by those who should be protecting them (the sheriff's department, among others) and this behavior is so egregious, so harmful, elected officials, like Nora Vargas, are being bullied out of office.
But I don't think it was just the right-wing bullying, I think it was the lack of support from her supposed allies. Nora was far from perfect as a supervisor: she made mind-bogglingly tone-deaf and offensive remarks in casual conversation, judging by the insane turnover in her staff, she clearly lacked people management skills.
But when I look at what she did and what she fought for, I can't help but be grateful for her efforts: Her dedication to bringing attention and resources to South Bay communities, her consistent votes for the labor community, how the South Bay achieved one of the highest rates of COVID-19 vaccinations among Latinos and the working class in the US, and her final valiant act - fighting for sanctuary status for immigrants in San Diego County.
Nora knew that the sanctuary status vote was going to be hard and politically expensive, but she also understood the imperative of standing with immigrants against the onslaught of racism, demonization, marginalization and criminalization under Trump. She understood that this was the moment to stand up, to lead the resistance, to show our immigrant communities that there are elected officials who care about them when they are under attack. And she did - quite possibly to her political demise. Because, what higher civic calling is there then to defend the meekest among us?
Which is why I, like you, am petrified of how this race could turn out. We could, very conceivably, wind up with John McCann - creating a board, as you put "dominated by men dutifully saving monies for a future rainy day that is already here." Even if we do elect a Democrat, it is, unfortunately, clear that they will not stand as unapologetically with the immigrant community as Nora did, as highlighted in this article: https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/01/07/county-supervisor-candidates-have-no-love-for-new-immigration-policy/.
With this unwanted election bearing down on us, after losing an ally and strong voice who would have resisted Trump, I find myself wondering, how could I have been a better ally to her? Because it wasn't just rightwing maga jerks that took her down, it was the lack of support she felt from her so-called-allies.
That "Open Letter Regarding Chairwoman Nora Vargas" you published was brutal - https://dougporter.substack.com/p/an-open-letter-regarding-chairwoman. By publishing it without commentary, in full, it sure seemed as though you endorsed the public criticism it contained. And what was her crime? Not allowing an outside organization to have undue influence in civic government staffing selections? That's just good governance. To me, that was another good policy choice she was brave enough to make. And what did she get for it? Would-be-white-allies chanting "No Mames Nora" and open letters from progressive leaders and journalists. And yes, her private text were crude and not justifiable, but was it worth losing a supervisor over?
Even the local Democratic Party, I am ashamed to say, went along with this charade: contributing to strong-arming Nora and the board to advance a candidate outside of the normal hiring process, instead of calling such an attempt at outside influence out for what it was - an attempt at government corruption. The Democratic Party has a whole committee, the "RISE" committee that was set up supposedly to support our progressive elected officials, but when it came time to defend Nora, not a single message of support from the committee or the party.
So, yes, you are right to be upset over what happened to Nora, and what will happen to San Diego County residents as a result. But, just I have, you might examine your role in her departure and the situation it has created.
Wow. First up, let me say I'm gratified by the depth and thoughtfulness of your response.
I have had lots of thoughts about the story published here, and have concluded that context matters. I had no qualms about publishing the story, and if I had opted to comment on it, don't think it would have made a difference at the time.
I certainly didn't understand Sup. Vargas' reasoning about the issue at the heart of her opinion on leadership for the County bureaucracy.
Obviously, the overall political environment has changed for the worse, and I did not consider that possibility at the time. It's a lesson learned, to be sure, but not one that convinces me to feel responsible for contributing to her decision.
I've been wondering about the Vargas resignation -- thanks for your perspective. Truly a shame if we can't count on the Sheriff's office to support and protect all of our county supervisors. Also, just noticed you refer to the Status Quo in the list of publications you support financially. Jay Kuo is a great resource and I love the play on words with the Status Kuo. And ... glad you got away for some travel time in Japan and Taiwan. Enjoyed your observations about those two countries.
Hi Doug,
Thank you for this insightful post. I think you highlight an extremely important issue here - we have come to a point where near-constant harassment of progressive elected officials, women, especially women of color is condoned, ignored, and accepted by those who should be protecting them (the sheriff's department, among others) and this behavior is so egregious, so harmful, elected officials, like Nora Vargas, are being bullied out of office.
But I don't think it was just the right-wing bullying, I think it was the lack of support from her supposed allies. Nora was far from perfect as a supervisor: she made mind-bogglingly tone-deaf and offensive remarks in casual conversation, judging by the insane turnover in her staff, she clearly lacked people management skills.
But when I look at what she did and what she fought for, I can't help but be grateful for her efforts: Her dedication to bringing attention and resources to South Bay communities, her consistent votes for the labor community, how the South Bay achieved one of the highest rates of COVID-19 vaccinations among Latinos and the working class in the US, and her final valiant act - fighting for sanctuary status for immigrants in San Diego County.
Nora knew that the sanctuary status vote was going to be hard and politically expensive, but she also understood the imperative of standing with immigrants against the onslaught of racism, demonization, marginalization and criminalization under Trump. She understood that this was the moment to stand up, to lead the resistance, to show our immigrant communities that there are elected officials who care about them when they are under attack. And she did - quite possibly to her political demise. Because, what higher civic calling is there then to defend the meekest among us?
Which is why I, like you, am petrified of how this race could turn out. We could, very conceivably, wind up with John McCann - creating a board, as you put "dominated by men dutifully saving monies for a future rainy day that is already here." Even if we do elect a Democrat, it is, unfortunately, clear that they will not stand as unapologetically with the immigrant community as Nora did, as highlighted in this article: https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/01/07/county-supervisor-candidates-have-no-love-for-new-immigration-policy/.
With this unwanted election bearing down on us, after losing an ally and strong voice who would have resisted Trump, I find myself wondering, how could I have been a better ally to her? Because it wasn't just rightwing maga jerks that took her down, it was the lack of support she felt from her so-called-allies.
That "Open Letter Regarding Chairwoman Nora Vargas" you published was brutal - https://dougporter.substack.com/p/an-open-letter-regarding-chairwoman. By publishing it without commentary, in full, it sure seemed as though you endorsed the public criticism it contained. And what was her crime? Not allowing an outside organization to have undue influence in civic government staffing selections? That's just good governance. To me, that was another good policy choice she was brave enough to make. And what did she get for it? Would-be-white-allies chanting "No Mames Nora" and open letters from progressive leaders and journalists. And yes, her private text were crude and not justifiable, but was it worth losing a supervisor over?
Even the local Democratic Party, I am ashamed to say, went along with this charade: contributing to strong-arming Nora and the board to advance a candidate outside of the normal hiring process, instead of calling such an attempt at outside influence out for what it was - an attempt at government corruption. The Democratic Party has a whole committee, the "RISE" committee that was set up supposedly to support our progressive elected officials, but when it came time to defend Nora, not a single message of support from the committee or the party.
So, yes, you are right to be upset over what happened to Nora, and what will happen to San Diego County residents as a result. But, just I have, you might examine your role in her departure and the situation it has created.
Wow. First up, let me say I'm gratified by the depth and thoughtfulness of your response.
I have had lots of thoughts about the story published here, and have concluded that context matters. I had no qualms about publishing the story, and if I had opted to comment on it, don't think it would have made a difference at the time.
I certainly didn't understand Sup. Vargas' reasoning about the issue at the heart of her opinion on leadership for the County bureaucracy.
Obviously, the overall political environment has changed for the worse, and I did not consider that possibility at the time. It's a lesson learned, to be sure, but not one that convinces me to feel responsible for contributing to her decision.
I've been wondering about the Vargas resignation -- thanks for your perspective. Truly a shame if we can't count on the Sheriff's office to support and protect all of our county supervisors. Also, just noticed you refer to the Status Quo in the list of publications you support financially. Jay Kuo is a great resource and I love the play on words with the Status Kuo. And ... glad you got away for some travel time in Japan and Taiwan. Enjoyed your observations about those two countries.