Thursday, September 26, 2013

Democrats Endorse Alvarez, Boot, Kim


The San Diego County Democratic Party endorsed David Alvarez for Mayor at a special meeting Tuesday night, tapping him as the candidate best prepared to fulfill the Democratic vision for San Diego that voters backed last year.

Members spoke in favor of both City Councilmember David Alvarez and former Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher. Alvarez garnered 62%, achieving the 60% threshold for endorsement on the first round of voting. Former City Attorney Mike Aguirre and Save Our Heritage Organisation leader Bruce Coons also sought the Party's support.

"Central Committee members have developed strong relationships with David Alvarez over the years and appreciate his record of progressive votes and values," said Francine Busby, Chair of the County Party. "We believe he will be an outstanding candidate and leader for our city."

Acknowledging the importance of keeping a Democrat in the Mayor's office in this very Democratic city, the Committee further voted to endorse any Democrat who makes it into a runoff against a Republican after the November 19 special election.

The Party also endorsed candidates Sarah Boot for San Diego City Council District 2 and Carol Kim for Council District 6. Both of them will be on the June 2014 ballot.




Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Environmental Health & Justice Campaign Endorses David Alvarez

Organization says candidate from Barrio Logan leads by protecting residents’ rights to clean air, green jobs and healthy neighborhoods


September 24, 2013— Today, Environmental Health & Justice Campaign (EHJC), an organization that empowers communities to achieve environmental justice, endorsed candidate David Alvarez for Mayor of San Diego. Focused on communities south of I-8, EHJC says that the Barrio Logan resident and candidate represents a critical chance to elect a leader who represents all San Diegans. It declared that communities of color located south of Interstate 8 have the voting power to ensure the District 8 Councilmember wins the special election on November 19.

"This is our time to finally a have a leader emerge from San Diego’s communities and guide our region into a new way of thinking for the next decade," said Diane Takvorian, executive director of EHJC. "For too long our communities have shouldered the burden of environmental injustice and Alvarez represents a sea change for the entire region.

According to EHJC, communities in urban south San Diego, such as City Heights, Barrio Logan, Logan Heights and Sherman Heights, have historically felt the burden of pollution, air quality issues and other environmental degradation from the lack of thoughtful leadership in the region.



"The time is now for our communities. Our children deserve clean air, and we want green jobs to improve our economy," said Beatriz Barraza, President of EHJC. "We have long been ignored by city hall, but we now have the opportunity to elect a mayor who understands, listens and takes action to our needs."



Alvarez has represented communities south of Interstate 8 as a city councilmember and has demonstrated leadership that protects the residents' rights to clean air, green jobs and healthy neighborhoods.  Alvarez recently led the effort to secure City Council approval for the Barrio Logan Community Plan Update, ensuring improved environmental and economic health.  EHJC also selected Alvarez because of this mayoral platform, which has prioritized neighborhood investment in infrastructure, parks and public safety.



"We want a mayor who understands the environmental, health and economic issues we've faced for generations and one who understands how we can work together to move beyond those burdens and achieve a greater quality of life for all," said Takvorian.



Environmental Health & Justic Campaign, a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation is an affiliate of Environmental Health Coalition (EHC), a 501 c (3) organization. EHJC’s purpose is to advocate for public and private initiatives that protect public health and the environment by means of community education and community organizing, to monitor government and industry actions that cause pollution, and to engage in other activities that promote social and environmental justice.



Paid for by Environmental Health and Justice Campaign.  Not authorized by a candidate or a committee controlled by a candidate.

Former Democratic Party Heads Endorse Alvarez for Mayor of San Diego, Call on Central Committee to Follow


September 23, 2013, SAN DIEGO – Today, three former Chairs of the San Diego County Democratic Party: Maureen Steiner, Bob Jellison, and Kennan Kaeder, endorsed David Alvarez for mayor.  The Chairs called upon the County Democratic Party delegates to support Councilmember Alvarez in the Party's endorsement vote on Tuesday.

"David is truly the best person to represent the Party in this important upcoming election," said Maureen Steiner.  "He deserves the full support of the San Diego County Democratic community."
The three Chairs agreed that Councilmember Alvarez represents the values and character of the San Diego County Democratic Party.  As the progressive voice of the San Diego City Council, he has carried those issues effectively and consistently.

"David's candidacy has excited and energized the base of the Democratic Party which is critical in the upcoming special election, and to maintaining our progressive majority in San Diego," Bob Jellison said.

When comparing the record of Councilmember Alvarez to that of former Republican turned independent Assemblymember turned Democrat Nathan Fletcher,  "a vote for Fletcher is a vote for Faulconer," Kennan Kaeder stated.

Steiner was ultimately impressed by the combination of Alvarez's character, effectiveness, and viability.  "When he ran for City Council, he confounded expectations and proved naysayers wrong," she said.  "He has a proven track record of how to put the right team together with a winning strategy to build a broad progressive coalition.  I'm proud to support him and I call on my fellow Democrats to do the same."

Jellison added, "By providing a united voice of support for a candidate who truly personifies the values of the party, we will be sending a clear message to voters on November 19th."
More information can be found at www.alvarezformayor.com.


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David Alvarez: The candidate for Mayor sharing the same values as all San Diegans - values that make San Diego great and improve the quality of life for all communities. That means transparency in government, having an honest and respectful public dialogue about civic issues and ensuring all voices have an opportunity to be heard. www.alvarezformayor.com