Republican state Assemblyman Brian Maienschein will not challenge embattled Democratic County Supervisor Dave Roberts for his Third District supervisorial seat in next year’s election.
Lance Witmondt, Maienschein’s chief of staff, told inewsource that “The assemblymember has decided that he’s going to pass on running for supervisor.”
“He’s done a lot of thinking on this and has come to the conclusion that he really loves his job, really loves being an assemblymember and has gotten a lot accomplished and wants to keep doing it,” Witmondt said.
Escondido Mayor Sam Abed is the only Republican who has announced he will run against Roberts. San Diego City Councilman Mark Kersey and Encinitas Mayor Kristin Gaspar, both Republicans, have been mentioned as possible candidates.
Maienschein, a former San Diego city councilman, was seen as a strong potential challenger to Roberts, who was first elected in 2012.
Roberts, the sole Democrat on the five-member Board of Supervisors, has been accused of misusing taxpayer funds and favoritism among other things by three former staff members who have filed claims against the county. Roberts has steadfastly denied the accusations, calling them “completely false.”
Witmondt said Maienschein hasn’t made a decision on whether to endorse anyone in the race.
