Next year will be a watershed for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, as voters will replace two members elected to their seats more than 20 years ago.
By 2020, all the members of the board elected in the 1990s will be out, thanks to a term limits initiative passed in 2010.
Supervisor Bill Horn, who won a seat in 1995 to represent District 5, covering much of North County, will be one of those to give up his seat next year.
In his annual State of North County address, Horn urged voters to consider candidates who will preserve the county’s triple-A credit rating.
“We’re going to be gone,” Horn said. “If they drain the treasury, you’re not going to be able to do any of the things we’ve done. We’ve built libraries, we’ve built sheriff’s stations, water parks even. And it’s because of the foundation financially that we have built in San Diego over the past 22 years."
While Horn has not made an endorsement in the race to pick his successor, his choice of venue for the address — San Marcos — could be significant. Horn's presentation included a video promoting the city's economic development. Hosting the event was San Marcos Mayor Jim Desmond — who’s thrown his hat in the ring to succeed Horn.
Oceanside City Councilman Jerry Kern, a Republican, has also declared his intention to run, as has Oceanside City Councilwoman Esther Sanchez, a Democrat.
Assemblywoman Marie Waldron, R-Escondido, is considered another potential candidate for the District 5 seat.
