Although it’s changing, historically San Diego minorities (women, Latin Americans, Asians, blacks, gays) haven’t done enough to secure and keep a voice in politics. They need to step up even more.
In the California Primary Election today, the City of San Diego will hold elections for Mayor, City Attorney and four City Council districts. However, at a time when San Diego is in the news so much for its financial and image problems–mainly due to its pension scandal caused by public decision-making behind closed doors–the candidates themselves seem to reflect a business-as-usual mentality in the region.
None of them are very interesting, with two exceptions:
One is Mike Aguirre, a lawyer’s lawyer and activist incumbent City Attorney trying to hold onto his job. In any other major city, the moderate Democrat Aguirre would be considered another talented if abrasive crusader, well worth tolerating for his energy, ideas, smarts and focus on the public good. He’d be Bobby Kennedy-esque, almost lovable. He’s been productive in methodically dissecting and addressing the city’s troublesome pension issues (discussed below).