An open letter from Stephen Whitburn —
What to do when Ron Roberts, Donna Frye, Lori Saldaña and Shelia Jackson all run for the same seat? The County Board of Supervisors 4th District seat represents a swath of central San Diego between the 5 and 15 freeways, extending from University City down through the gayborhoods and south to Paradise Hills. This race for this seat is fascinating. And important.
Roberts, the incumbent, is appreciated by many longtime activists for reaching out to the LGBT community back when many politicians were reluctant to do so. He deserves that credit. Fortunately, our community has moved beyond the days when we swooned over mere acknowledgment. Today we expect our elected officials to stand up for us. Sadly, when it comes to our community, Ron is a lover, not a fighter, and the occasional smooch isn’t satisfying anymore. The five-member Republican tribunal on which Roberts sits has shown inadequate concern for HIV/AIDS funding, it was appalled when it had to provide marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples last year, and it has gone apoplectic over medical marijuana, which benefits many in our community.
The LGBT community needs a vocal advocate on the County Board, and Frye, Saldaña and Jackson would all do a far better job of representing us. Frye, who will leave the City Council next year due to term limits, has expressed interest in this seat but hasn’t committed to running. Uniquely to Frye, months of campaigning would make little difference. Nearly every voter knows and has a strong impression of her. She has many admirers in our community who will immediately write a check or volunteer if she gets into the race. It remains to be seen, though, whether Frye will decide to run. Jackson, the president of the School Board, is also well liked in the LGBT community but is probably the least well known of the candidates. She almost certainly has a smaller fundraising and volunteer base. She has been a major ally for teachers and other workers, and if the unions choose to back her, they could strengthen her candidacy. However, labor unions are famously pragmatic and may hesitate to make a longshot bet when there are other labor-friendly candidates.
With Roberts uninspiring, Frye undecided, and Jackson unlikely to win, Saldaña’s campaign is gaining momentum in the gayborhoods. Saldaña, who leaves the State Assembly next year due to term limits, endeared herself to the LGBT community by cosponsoring a marriage equality bill in her first act as a legislator. In a few weeks, the County Democratic Party will consider a recommendation from its Central San Diego delegation to endorse Saldaña in the race. And some die-hard Frye loyalists are currently helping Saldaña, with the understanding that they will also help Frye if she enters the race. That makes sense: multiple strong challengers will reduce the odds of Roberts winning a majority outright in the June election. One of the few clear things about this race is that the LGBT community finally has a chance to get a strong advocate on the County Board. We should help to make that happen.
NOTE: Lori Saldaña’s campaign-kickoff is this Thursday, October 29, from 5:30-7:30pm at the Station Tavern, 2204 Fern Street in South Park. The suggested minimum contribution is $100.
