District 2 Supervisor Race Comes Down To Performance Record
Speaker 1: 00:00 San Diego County board of supervisors will change more this year than it has in the last two decades. As new term limits kick in and three of the five seats are on the ballot. The Reece for the second supervisorial district will determine who gets to succeed Republican Diane, Jacob who's held that East County seat for the past 28 years. The Duke candidates running to replace Jacob are both Republicans. The outcome of the race will be an indication of how the Republican party is reframing itself as a blue wave sweep, San Diego County. So here to tell us more about the candidates as KPBS and current Maya [inaudible] Maya. Thanks for joining us. Thank you so much, Alison, so briefly, who are these two candidates running to replace Dan Jacob and what his political background. Speaker 2: 00:44 Okay. So we have the two candidates, both Republicans, as you pointed out, we have Steve Voss who has been the mayor of Poway since 2014. He's also the chair of the San Diego association of governments for the last two years. Also known as SANDAG. Joel Anderson has some more legislative experience. He's represented the 77th district and the state assembly for four years, which includes a lot of district two. He moved into the state Senate in 2010, where he served there for eight years Speaker 1: 01:14 Now, in speaking with Steve Voss, how does he define the differences between them? Speaker 2: 01:18 So the two candidates are fiscal conservatives, both running in a historically red district and they share a lot of priorities. What sets them apart? They say is their performance record as public servants. Here's what mayor Steve Voss had to say about it. Speaker 3: 01:34 I think the distinctions between myself and my opponent could be summed up with three things, track, record, temperament and trust. As far as track record, I'm the only candidate with executive experience in running a jurisdiction. And I, I think I've been pretty successful. Speaker 2: 01:50 Los went on to talk about his temperament and trust. He talked about the shooting at the Habbat of Poway, where he says that he mourned with the congregants and the rest of the world. Really saying that you cannot fake compassion. When I talked to Anderson, he said, if you think that we're in a great place in district two, then don't vote for him. He says, he's not your guy because he intends to change it. Speaker 1: 02:14 Okay. So bearing in mind that there's a good chance that the whole board of supervisors will change this year from being dominated by Republicans, to having a democratic majority. What do the two candidates say about how they can work across the aisle? Speaker 2: 02:26 The chronic influence is undoubtedly growing in the district in the primary election, the lone Democrat, Kenya Taylor, she brought in 27% of the votes in the district. Registered voters are broken down like this 36.2% are Republicans. 33.8% are registered Democrats. And 3.9 are independence. Both candidates are making it quite clear that they look forward to working across party lines. Specifically Anderson points to his experience in Sacramento. He says for four years, he didn't go to a Republican caucus. Here's more on what he had to say about his, Speaker 4: 03:02 You know, and in the time I had in the legislature, I did over 450 bills across party lines, either joint or coauthored, my Democrat colleagues. If you added all the Republicans I served with collectively, I did more bills with Democrats than all of them combined. Speaker 2: 03:19 Law says he's not a professional politician. And he is quote, not part of any political machine. He says whether or not it's a race to the middle, it's where he lives. And he says, he's happy with that. Speaker 1: 03:32 Well briefly, what did they tell you about their priorities? Speaker 2: 03:36 Voss has always said that his number one priority is crime and fire protection on his campaign page. He also lists protection and expansion of open space and infrastructure. He wants to reestablish the County business development office that was eliminated 15 years ago. Mental health and homelessness are issues. He says are particularly important to him after he witnessed his own sister struggle with schizophrenia and homelessness. Similarly Anderson wants to improve mental health response in the region by bolstering the counties, psychiatric emergency response team, also known as PERT to respond to 51 50 calls safely career opportunities and housing attainability in the County are paramount to him as he is. He says, he's tired of seeing people moving out of the state because they can't afford a home here. He also wants to work on developing the area around Gillespie field airport to create jobs and tax revenue. And that will help in turn pay for public safety. Speaker 1: 04:36 No, in common, Diane, Jacob remains pretty popular with her East County constituents. Even after all this time. Who does she endorse? Speaker 2: 04:43 It's been no secret that Diane Jacob has passionately supported. Steve Voss and Voss has had countywide bipartisan endorsements, including from Chula Vista, mayor Mary Salus. Who's a Democrat. He's had endorsements from four current supervisors, mayor Kevin Faulkner, and nine other city mayors have endorsed Vos as well. Deputy Sheriff's association, Cal fire and law enforcement agencies in the district. Now Anderson has a long list of endorsements by community leaders and elected officials, including former California, governor Pete Wilson. And he is officially endorsed by the Republican party of San Diego. He's also endorsed by former Congressman Duncan, Hunter sr, and the mayors of Santi and lemon Grove, San Diego County gun owners endorse him as does San Diego County medical society. And that's just to name a few. Well, thanks Speaker 1: 05:38 For giving us a good glimpse into this race. Maya, Speaker 2: 05:41 Thank you so much, Alison, for having me, we've been Speaker 1: 05:44 Working with KPBS, anchor Maya treble C.
