This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on April 6, 2010.
I know. The first edition of Campaign Corral last week was hefty. But it didn’t even touch on the state and federal races.
So, now, this edition of CC is going to focus on the candidates looking to represent San Diego in Sacramento and Washington D.C. Bear with me, though, because this is an introduction to those races – there’s going to be a lot of information here, too.
But don’t forget, SDNN Politics is still relying on you and the candidates for information on what’s happening elections-wise in San Diego, and we have links to all the campaign sites in San Diego on our main Elections 2010 page.
OK, here goes…starting with the State Senate races because an SDNN intern gave me the info for those races first.
State Senate
Running to represent State Senate District 36 — which includes the cities of El Cajon and Poway, and stretches all the way to parts of Riverside County — are Assemblymember Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon), local Libertarian Michael Metti, Poway Pastor Greg Stephens and Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone. Anderson, who has been in the Assembly since 2006, doesn’t have a campaign Web site up yet. Metti apparently ran for the U.S. Senate in the past, and that was the only info we were able to dig up on him. Stephens has kind of a swanky Web site with “on air” talks from him and a unique feature titled “Citizens Speak Out.” His Web site is worth checking out until his opponents have info posted. Stone, a former Temecula councilmember, has been endorsed by Gov. Mitt Romney and former San Diego Councilmember Jim Madaffer, among others in the Republican scene.
Two people are running to represent our North San Diegans in State Senate District 38: local biz owner Kristi Stone, who dubbed herself the “Freedom Czar,” and incumbent Sen. Mark Wyland. Like most candidates, Stone is taking advantage of Facebook and her last update includes a story about “The ant and the grasshopper” with political connotations. Is Stone the ant? Ask her on FB. Meanwhile, Wyland, who was in the Assembly prior to being in the Senate, is playing up his resume on his Web site with a lot of info about issues that he intends to focus on.
Down in the South Bay, Chula Vista educator Brian Hendry, Assemblymember Mary Salas and former Assemblymember Juan Vargas are competing for the 40th District seat. We couldn’t find info for Hendry, who is running as a Republican, but the campaigns of Democrats Salas and Vargas are in full-swing. Salas has been endorsed by the California Federation of Teachers, Communication Workers of America and the National City Firefighters. Info on her next event is not posted on her Web site, but her Facebook includes plenty of details on precinct walks. Vargas is raking in the endorsements too and so far is endorsed by the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce, San Diego City Firefighters and Assemblymember Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego). His last event, as posted on his Facebook, was a “voter outreach” gathering on March 27.
State Assembly
Starting in North San Diego, three candidates have tossed their hats into the ring for the 74th Assembly seat: Del Mar Mayor Crystal Crawford, incumbent Martin Garrick and Carlsbad biz owner Paul King. We could not find info on Paul King, with the exception of his campaign filings, but Crawford and Garrick seem to be the main contenders. Crawford, a Democrat, is garnering plenty of support from the Left side and is having an event Thursday which will include guests such as Rep. Susan Davis (D-Calif.) and State Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego). Assemblymember Garrick’s Web site is still under construction but has endorsements from major Republican players including California Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Tom McClintock (R-Calif.).
Libertarian Chris Chadwick and physician Paul Garver are attempting to take Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher’s seat in the 75th District. Chadwick is on Facebook and his last update includes his battle to get on the ballot. Well, you’ve made it, Chadwick…you’re a qualified candidate! Garver, who notes that Sacramento is “sick” on his Web site, includes his “Prescription for Change.” Meanwhile, incumbent Fletcher has a lot of endorsements from community members compiled on his Web site. He also hosted a coffee meet and greet on April Fool’s Day. We are not sure when his next event is, but he may still be milking in the Republican support from when Karl Rove was in town for him on March 31.
In the 76th District, five people are running to take over termed-out Assembly member Lori Saldaña’s seat: former San Diego Councilmember Toni Atkins, school bus driver Daniel Baehr, educator Thomas Warschauer and biz owners Naomi Bar Lev and Ralph Denny. Atkins and Denny are the only candidates with readily available info. Atkins is the main Democratic contender with support from lots of politicos. Her next event is a Tierrasanta fundraiser on Saturday. Denny, a Republican who ran in the past for the seat, has info from the 2008 days on his Web site.
Running for Assemblymember Joel Anderson’s seat in the 77th District are five people: Richard Belitz, Mark Hanson, Brian Jones, Christine Rubin and Bill Wells. Biz owner Belitz and educator Hanson are MIA when it comes to info. Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Jones is piling in the endorsements and for those who care, he separates his endorsements from “pastors/faith leaders” to “elected officials” to “enthusiasts.” Jones isn’t the only Republican in the race though — he’ll see competition from Rubin and Wells. Rubin’s major endorsements include former Secretary of State Bill Jones and State Sen. Mark Wyland. Wells also has plenty of Conservative support including support from El Cajon Councilmember Jillian Hanson-Cox and the California Republican Assembly.
Assemblymember Marty Block will attempt to hold onto his seat in the 78th District and will see competition from two Conservative and retired service members, Rick Powell and Emma Turner. Block is on Facebook but has an empty “Wall.” Former Colonel Powell has lots of info on his Web site and even has a section called “Common Sense.” His calendar is empty, however. Turner doesn’t have a Web site and we couldn’t find her on Facebook – so, candidates, if you’re reading this – let us know what’s going on!
In the final San Diego Assembly District race are retired service member Jack Doyle, San Diego Councilmember Ben Hueso, Sweetwater Union High School District trustee Pearl Quinones and private investigator Derrick Roach – all wanting the 79th seat. Doyle’s Web site says he’s “fired up and ready to go!” with “10 positive reasons” to vote for him. Hueso, who is risking his local elected seat for Sacramento, has a Web site that takes about 30 seconds to load (that’s a long time for a busy girl!). When it finally does, though, you’ll discover over 50 endorsements from elected officials and labor unions. He has a series of volunteer events listed on his Facebook with the next being in Imperial Beach on Saturday. Hueso’s Democratic opponent Quinones is also raking in the endorsements and so far, has support from State Sen. Gloria Romero and Chula Vista Councilmember Steve Castaneda (Castaneda is running for the mayoral seat and SDNN contributor Khari Johnson will give you the scoop on that race later this week). Romero’s next event is unknown with little updates on her Facebook. Finally, in our investigation of Roach, we just found his very interesting Web site. Interesting how? Just check it out.
Congressional
Moving away from Sacramento to Washington D.C. now.
Rep. Darrell Issa will attempt to hold onto his seat in the 49th Congressional District. His opponents are electronic engineer Dion Clark from the American Independent Party and Libertarian Mike Paster (no occupation listed on his campaign papers). Issa is going for the “less is more” approach on his campaign Web site with his bio, info on some of his work and videos/photos. Paster is relying on Facebook and his last update is from Saturday with a comment to those who don’t believe he is a qualified candidate. No info on the engineer in the race, but hopefully, we’ll hear from Clark before the next dose of Campaign Corral.
Issa’s Republican colleague Rep. Brian Bilbray is also running for re-election and SDNN has written plenty about the 50th District race. With that said, we won’t touch on this race too much, but here’s the latest news on his main opponents Francine Busby and Tracy Emblem. Busby’s campaign just announced her endorsement from the California Teachers Association and received the pre-endorsement from the California Democratic Party by an 83 percent vote. Emblem is seeing endorsements from her share of labor unions, too, and her next event is scheduled for April 13. She is also a regular blogger for SDNN’s A More Perfect Union. Other candidates in the race are Miriam Clark and Lars Grosssmith, though we couldn’t find info on either.
Moving to South San Diego, Rep. Bob Filner is running against Republican Nick Popaditch, most known for his role in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Popaditch has a packed schedule in April with the most noteworthy endorsement coming from former Rep. Duncan Hunter, Sr. Meanwhile, Filner is the only Democrat running and is thus, taking in the endorsements from the Left. And, like his opponent, he has plenty of April events. Check out both their Web sites for more info.
While Duncan Hunter, Sr. is making endorsements, his son is running for re-election. Rep. Duncan Hunter, Jr. is up against four candidates in the 52nd District: Libertarian biz owner Michael Benoit, community volunteer Connie Frankowiak, homemaker Terri Linnell and engineer Ray Lutz. Benoit has some interesting ideas listed on his Web site and a photo of him and Republican Rep. Ron Paul. Linnell, according to her Web site, is the “Tea Party Poem Lady” and has included her rhapsody on her campaign site. Lutz has plenty of info on his Web site for the average voter, though not aesthetically-pleasing (if I can be a little judgey). He has his values and qualifications listed with a full page titled “Time for Change.” Finally, the incumbent Hunter simply includes his bio and where he stands on certain issues on his Web site.
In the final congressional race is Rep. Susan Davis attempting to hold on to her 53rd seat against a whopping seven opponents. The Republicans bidding for her seat are former service member Michael Crimmins, community volunteer Mari Hamlim Fink, biz consultant Matt Friedman and entrepreneur Mason C. Weaver. Crimmins has the endorsement of Rep. Duncan Hunter and Assemblymembers Joel Anderson and Nathan Fletcher. Fink has little happening on her very swanky Web site and her last Tweet was from a couple weeks ago. Friedman has been having “great meet and greets all over the district” according to his Facebook page. He also has a blog with his last post focused on the health care vote, which he described as “sad” and “bitter.” The last Rightie in the race, Weaver, has a section called “Rumors” on his Web site, worth giving a page click for the sole purpose of its section name. Despite what he claims to be rumors though, he has received the endorsement of State Sen. Mark Wyland, Assemblymember Diane Harkey (R-Dana Point) and others. Libertarian Paul Dekker has a complex Web site with an immense amount of information topped with polls for visitors to vote on. Davis, whose Web site is under construction, may see little competition from Jeffrey Parks and Robert Williams, who though they are qualified candidates, don’t have much info on display for voters.
Starting next week, I’m relying on candidates and their campaign managers to reach out to SDNN by sending updated campaign info to Politics(at)SDNN.com. In fact, San Diego City Council candidate Howard Wayne will begin blogging for SDNN’s Politics blog “A More Perfect Union” next Friday. Of course, the offer to blog or video blog is extended to all candidates.
Additionally, for readers who have questions about the candidates – feel free to let us know via the comments section.
It’s going to be an exciting election year and we’ll work on becoming your main campaign portal.
Hoa Quach is the political editor for the San Diego News Network.