Republican presidential candidate Bill Weld was in town Thursday speaking to leaders in the African American community.
The former Massachusetts governor held a roundtable meeting at Bowlegged BBQ in Southeast San Diego to discuss everything from homelessness to criminal justice reform.
“I’ve got a lengthy record of working with African American leaders in my two terms of governor of Massachusetts and five years as U.S. Attorney in Boston,” he said, “in areas as diverse as education, housing and just making sure that communities of color have a seat at the economic table where all the goodies are divided.”
Weld will face President Trump in California's March primary. Historically, incumbents have easily defeated same-party challengers. But Weld says both Trump and the Republican Party have failed to represent the nation.
“With the deepest respect for the office of the presidency, I think Mr. Trump has tarnished it,” he said.
The forum was hosted by local civil rights leader Shane Harris, who said he doesn’t endorse Weld but admires him because he was willing to talk with both Democrats and Republicans from the community
“I respect the dignity of this man who came here and said, ‘I want to rebuild the soul of the Republican Party,’” Harris said.
