Credit: Pixabay
If you are part of that dwindling tribe who (like me) still prefer to show up at your polling place to vote in person, here are a few final reminders for the procrastinating progressives out there:
Defeat the Lincoln Club: There is only one way to foil the plans of the Lincoln Club in the San Diego County Board of Supervisors race and discourage them from spending big money to intervene in San Diego Democratic politics in the future: Don’t Vote for Lori Saldana. See Doug Porter’s column on this race here. See my column here.
Just Say No to Antonio: Not that many people are paying close attention to the Governor’s race this time around BUT if you are offended by the Lincoln Club’s effort to buy local elections, then you should be even more disturbed by the huge money the billionaire boys club is pumping into this race in an effort to get their man into the runoff in November. Frustrate their efforts by just saying no to Antonio Villaraigosa. See my column on this race here.
Don’t Get Tucked in the Superintendent of Public Instruction Race: The same crew of rich guys promoting Villaraigosa are the puppet masters behind Marshall Tuck. Vote for Tony Thurmond. See my columns on this race here and here.
Beat the Charter Schools Association Here in San Diego: More of the same billionaire boys club cash is flowing into San Diego County to try and buy the Country Board of Education. Don’t let that happen. Re-elect Alicia Munoz and Rich Shea. See my column on this race here.
Vote NO on Prop 70: As SanDiego350’s analysis suggests, this proposition seeks “to oppose placing an unnecessary and anti-democratic restriction on how the proceeds of California’s carbon pricing system (cap and trade) can be spent. Requiring a 2/3 majority in both houses of the California legislature subjects funds to gridlock from a new supermajority, holding climate investments hostage by corporate lobbyists.”
Vote Yes on Prop 68: As SD350 again notes, this is “a bond to support addressing California’s need to preserve its unique environment, safe water resources, and provide funds to cope with increasingly costly impacts of climate change, such as fires and sea level rise. Requires at least $150,000,000 to be dedicated to projects in communities below a median income of $40,000.”
What about those San Diego Community College Board Races?: Wondering who to vote for to run the College Board in the District where I work? The teachers and other education workers in that District support David Alvarez, Maria Nieto Senour, and Craig Milgrim. And in the Grossmont-Cuyamaca District Board races, vote for Linda Cartwright, Debbie Justeson, and Brad Monroe.
Some Suggestions in a Couple of those City Council Races that the SDFP Didn’t Touch?: Christian Ramirez is one of the smartest, hard-working, and honorable activists in San Diego. You can’t go wrong with him in District 8. Jordan Beane is young, smart, and politically savvy. Give some new blood a chance in District 2.
Clean House in National City: If you live in National City, it’s time to get rid of Ron Morrison and elect Alejandra Sotelo-Solis as mayor. On the Council, give the nod to Jose Rodriguez and Mona Rios.
Jim Miller
Latest posts by Jim Miller (see all)
- The San Diego Free Press Was a Gift - December 10, 2018
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- Oligarchy Sucks: Billionaires Are Undermining Our Democracy and Killing the Planet - November 26, 2018
Jim-
It’s hard to believe that not so long ago you encouraged me to run for City Council Dist. 6. But in 2014, I declined- it was not a good year for my family. My father’s health was precarious (he died in June 2015), and while I was flattered by your recruitment, I never imagined saying “No” would result in this kind of backlash a few years later when I ran for a different seat under different circumstances.
In June 2016, after finishing second as an Independent running for Mayor (and receiving nearly 74,000 votes- more than the 3 previous men who ran for Mayor and were endorsed by the Democratic Party) I said, in a televised interview, that I was looking at running for County Supervisor in 2018. I made no effort to disguise my interests.
My progressive statements and efforts as a Mayoral candidate in 2016 earned me an independent expenditure campaign supported by the same Building Trades Council that now attacks me- despite having the same progressive positions, voting and advocacy record I have today.
So your suggestion I am running today at the initiative of conservative interests, or to “collude” with anyone, is absurd.
These ongoing admonitions to vote against me personally, based on allegations of collusion with Republican interests, is insulting to the principled progressives who work and volunteer for our campaign. Every day our volunteers are out walking, calling and encouraging voters to support our efforts- and they do so without payment, in contrast to what many other campaigns are doing.
Today- as I drove to class at the Community College (I have been teaching full time throughout the campaign)- I saw my volunteers at a busy intersection near campus, waving signs and encouraging people to vote.
Why in the world are you so negative about our grassroots efforts?
I want Free Press readers know: our campaign has received NO MONEY from any of these organizations you are warning them about. What they choose to do for or against other candidates is beyond our control.
What we have done: raised about $40,000. All contributions are from individuals- no corporate or PAC money, or money transferred from other candidates, is being used.
We have printed exactly ONE piece of literature that we have personally handed out to people, door to door and at community events.
We have not mailed anything to any voters- only given them this piece of information at their doors or in personal meetings.
So what is so threatening about my candidacy, besides who I am running against?
FWIW- I would be the first Latino/a in County history to serve on the Board of Supervisors, and only the 2nd Democratic woman. I would think those are positive reasons to support our efforts in a region that is majority female, and increasingly people of color.
To the readers: If you know me personally, and believe not only in me, but in our campaign’s message of diversity, inclusivity and social justice: please tell others to vote for me Tuesday.
That would be the best way to demonstrate that these cynical, negative and false ads and attacks against progressives are not working.
It will mean a lot to the outcome of this very close election.
Thank you-
Lori Saldaña