Campaign Corral: Sheriff candidate talks tips; endorsements galore

This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on May 11, 2010.

See original copy of story.

We’re less than three weeks away from primaries that will eliminate tons of candidates. Though some campaigns seem to be getting hotter, some candidates seem to have given up already. With that said, I’m only going to touch on the candidates and campaigns that appear to be making headway.

Let’s start with the featured race, though.

Featured race – San Diego County Sheriff:

I may have included this question in the last CC poll just for myself, as it’s always been important to me to properly tip a service employee. So this week I asked the three candidates for the San Diego County sheriff’s race the following question:

What’s your approach on tipping service employees?

Unfortunately, though, only one candidate replied: Jim Duffy.

“I empathize with the difficult jobs service employees do because my daughter was a waitress. Also, the service industry has been disproportionately hit hard by recent tough times. For that reason, I tip generously and hope others do, too.

“As a cop on the street, I was not permitted to accept tips, but expressions of appreciation — a smile, a wave, and a hearty ‘thank you’ — always were appreciated.”

Other campaigns:

The two Republican gubernatorial candidates are giving San Diegans extra attention this week. On Monday, State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner visited San Ysidro to talk immigration after he announced his opposition to Arizona’s latest anti-immigration law, SB1070.

On Thursday, Poizner’s primary opponent Meg Whitman will be in town. It’s unknown what she’ll be talking about, but her E-blast said she will share “her vision.” She’ll be at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront at 10:30 a.m.

Assemblymember Mary Salas, who is running for the State Senate District 40 seat, announced she is the principal co-author of Chelsea’s Law. The proposed law, which is sponsored by Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher, who is running for re-election, and named after murdered Poway teenager Chelsea King, would toughen up penalties on sexual offenders.

In endorsement news, Assemblymember Martin Garrick, who is running for re-election in District 74, announced his support for Assemblymember Joel Anderson, who is running for State Senate District 36. The Assembly Republican leader said Anderson has the “Reagan ‘can-do’ attitude.” Talk about compliments!

Run Women Run, an organization that supports pro-choice women for office, announced its endorsements Monday. The organization has endorsed Francine Busby for the 50th Congressional seat, Del Mar Mayor Crystal Crawford for the 74th Assembly seat, Jill Galvez for Chula Vista City Council, Mona Alvarado-Rios for National City Council and Assemblymember Mary Salas for the 40th State Senate seat. Though the organization supports pro-choice women, this is the first time it has given endorsements.

I’ll end this edition of CC by fulfilling a civic duty… The deadline for voter registration is May 24. Registration forms are available at the Registrar of Voters office. For more info, go to www.sdvote.com

Hoa Quach is the political editor for the San Diego News Network.