Video Transcript:

JOANNE FARYON (Host): Bill Gore's resume includes 32 years with the FBI and undersheriff for San Diego County for the past four years. His father was a police officer and friends with outgoing Sheriff Bill Kolender. So it wasn't a surprise when Gore was appointed sheriff by the County Board of Supervisors this week. Kolender is leaving the position early. No surprise, but was it fair? Sheriffs are elected in this state. Many argue Gore will have an advantage going into the election in 2010 because of this appointment. KPBS reporter Katie Orr put Bill Gore on the record about his position in the upcoming election.

BILL GORE (Appointed County Sheriff): I will appoint an undersheriff to run the day to day operations as I have done for the last three-and-a-half years. And in time away from the office, in my off-duty time, yes, I will be running for sheriff. That's just the way the office of the sheriff is conducted all over the state.

KATIE ORR (Reporter): You're family has a history of being in law enforcement in the county, you have good relationships with the mayor and some of the supervisors, do you think that factored into them appointing you to this position?

GORE: I hope so. I always said when the sheriff announces retirement that the bored should look at the qualifications of the people who would like to assume his job and select the most qualified person for the job. I hope that's what they did. I think that's what the did. I feel like I am the most qualified, I have an extensive law enforcement background. I've proven my ability to work with federal, state and other local law enforcement organizations. It's not a political payback to me, these are people who are supporting me because they've worked with me, they've seen me in action, they've seen me perform in the federal and at the local level. That's very gratifying me to have that kind of support. 

FARYON: JW, Bill Gore acknowledges his family ties with the sheriff's office, the mayors office, but he says that he's the best man for the job. Was this a good appointment by the County Board of Supervisors?

JW AUGUST (10 News): I think so. I think he is qualified at least for the 11 months. In that time frame maybe the voters will think differently, but he is qualified. They've been training him for this job for a while. I mean, it's pretty much been a done deal for a year or two that he was going to take over for Mr. Kolender.

FARYON: Tom, Bill Gore also acknowledges yes, he will have this time in office before the election, but he says that's how it is all over the state. Does he have an unfair advantage going into this election?

TOM YORK (San Diego Business Journal): I don't think so. I think this is another example of what I call front door politics as opposed to back room politics. I think this is the kind of thing that is done all the time. I would be shocked if everybody was on even footing as far as their candidacies go. I would just say that it's business as usual.

FARYON: Should we just trust the voters more and assume that they're not just going to vote for the familiar name that they are going to make informed choices next year?

AUGUST: Well, the reality is, the incumbent has a great advantage. Always have and always will have because they're sitting in a position of power. It's up to those that oppose the incumbent to make a strong enough case that they can do a better job.

FARYON: Could the board have done something different, Tom? Could they have  appointed perhaps a candidate who didn't want to run in the election next year?

YORK: They could have appointed somebody to temporarily sit in while this campaign took place. But on the other hand, as I said, that would have been a shock, that would have been against the grain. That's not how politics is done.

FARYON: Before we go, quickly, who should we look for? Who has the best shot against Gore next year, JW?

AUGUST: Well another person with name recognition law enforcement, Duffy who Ron Roberts supports. And who Ron Roberts voted against, confirming Gore as the acting sheriff. He's probably a front-runner and Jay LaSuer, former assemblyman out in East County. He's got his little East County gang out there working and I'm sure he's going to have some support for the job.