It’s the beginning of a sea change for local politics. Democrat Nathan Fletcher has been elected to the County Board of Supervisors with a nearly 2 to 1 win over Republican Bonnie Dumanis.
As the term limits for Supervisors kick in over the four years, the days of a the GOP –representing a minority of voters in the county– ruling the roost are drawing to a close
Given the county’s control of nearly all spending for social services in the region and the Supervisors lack of willingness to fund worthwhile projects, there can now be hope for our traditionally under-served residents.
While Fletcher is the sole Democrat on the board for now, his presence will mean issues and agendas previously disregarded will get heard. Demographic changes combined with the fact that Supervisors are no longer allowed to draw their own districts bode well for a more diverse and representative board.
This @inewsource map of the Board of Supervisors district 4 is striking. Republican Ron Roberts held the seat for 20+ years, but the district now has two Democrats for every Republican. @nathanfletcher almost wiped @BonnieDumanis off the map. #sdvote https://t.co/EUUQO9hUHl pic.twitter.com/5C76UeBmuz
— Jill Castellano (@Jill_Castellano) November 7, 2018
This victory has to be especially sweet for former Republican Nathan Fletcher, who spent years being vilified by the right (and some on the left) after his decision to abandon the GOP. San Diego’s shadowy conservative financiers spent millions of dollars on vitriolic ad campaigns to sully his reputation.
They worked in tandem with a breakway labor group –whose leader was hell-bent on revenge– to aggravate divisions in the activist circles. The people who funded a campaign against raising the minimum wage in San Diego were likely privately celebrating their ability to get others to do their dirty work for them.
I can’t abide by people saying Nathan Fletcher isn’t “progressive enough” or “not to be believed” who collaborated with (or remained silent about) the absolute worst elements of our local oligarchy.
The next few years will be the ultimate test, I suppose. I don’t expect miracles. I do expect him not to ‘go along to get along.’
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Up in the North County, Republican and former San Marcos Mayor Jim Desmond won convincingly over Democrat Michelle Gomez, garnering nearly 60% of the vote in District 5. Republican or not, I doubt Desmond will be as much of a crank (and embarrassment) as termed out Bill Horn.
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All four (A,B,C, & D) County measures passed by at least 20 points.
Procedures for absentee ballots (A) will be in sync with other jurisdictions and the chain of command in emergency fire situations is clarified. The county is now obliged to to ensure future supervisor redistricting (B)includes two seats representing rural areas and smaller cities, meaning Republicans have found a way to delay extinction on the board. Financial constraints (C) have been imposed on future spending, meaning that emergencies/recessions will require cutting social programs, rather than borrowing.
Finally, the good news is that Measure D passed. This means county elective positions will have to appear on general election ballots. Hopefully this means some of the dead weight currently “serving” the people of San Diego will have to explain their worthiness.
Here are the results for some of the other measures voted on in the various cities around the county.
Chula Vista
Measure Q– Cannabis Business Tax –PASSED
Del Mar
Measure P–Amendments to the City’s General Plan–PASSED
Measure R–Rich Guy’s “Shoreline Protection”–FAILED
Measure T–Adopting the 941 Camino Del Mar Specific Plan –PASSED
Encinitas
Measure U– Housing Plan Update–FAILED (lawsuits coming)
La Mesa
Measure V–Cannabis Tax –PASSED
National City
Measure W–Rent Control –FAILED
Oceanside
Measure X –Half Cent sales Tax Increase –PASSED
Measure Y –Land Use/Rural Space Development–FAILED
Vista
Measure Z –Medical Marijuana–PASSED
Measure AA — Cannabis Business Tax –PASSED
Measure BB –Regulation of Cannabis Business –FAILED
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Doug Porter
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