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KPBS Midday Edition

Roundtable: Mayor's Race, Pension Reform, Open Primaries, 52nd Congressional

Our first look at the 2012 election features the San Diego mayor's race, the pension reform initiative, open primaries and the 52nd Congressional District.
Guests: David Rolland, editor, San Diego City BeatScott Lewis, CEO, Voiceofsandiego.orgMichael Smolens, Government and Politics Editor, U-T San Diego

We look at the four major candidates and the issues swirling around the San Diego Mayor's race, including pension reform, outsourcing, and increasing revenue.

The Comprehensive Pension Reform Initiative mandates that new city employees have 401k retirement benefits, rather than defined-benefit pensions. Other provisions of the initiative are not so easily implemented.

California voters passed Proposition 14, calling for open primaries, Last June. Voters this year may vote for whomever they want regardless of party. The top two vote-getters will be on the November ballot. We discuss how this may effect state and Congressional races in 2012.

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And we take a look at the interesting race in the newly drawn 52nd Congressional District, which has just a 3% edge in Republican registration. Republican Brian Bilbray faces two strong Democratic contenders: Scott Peters and Lori Saldana.

The 2024 primary election is March 5. Find in-depth reporting on each race to help you understand what's on your ballot.