City Attorney's Race

Lost in the shuffle of the mayoral race in San Diego is the race for city attorney. One question that needs to be asked; is there going to be a prominent Democrat to challenge current city attorney Jan Goldsmith?

Assuming that the current city attorney gets re-elected, which is looking more like a done deal everyday. Then the next question that needs to be asked: who becomes the next city attorney if Bonnie Dumanis gets elected as mayor and the county board of supervisors appoints Goldsmith to be her replacement?

I know open ended "what if" questions are just what they are. But in a city where Democrats hold a 10-point registration advantage I cannot see why there isn't at least one prominent Democrat willing to run for city attorney? If for any other reason to position themselves for when the office opens up next. Be that in 2013 or 2016.

Huh?

Last night at a City Attorney debate, the question of the Chargers staying in San Diego came up. Which prompted a curious response from Jan Goldsmith which Scott Lewis from the Voice of San Diego caught on his blog.

Goldsmith, a Superior Court judge challenging Aguirre in the Nov. 4 election, said he would approach it differently. If the team's pursuit of a stadium in Chula Vista doesn't work, he would seek to form a joint powers authority with all cities in the county, and hold talks with the team.

“They don't want to talk now because maybe they think he'll run out and hold a press conference to attack people, or every time something goes wrong there's a lawsuit,” Goldsmith said of Aguirre. “Sometimes businesses don't react well to that type of approach.”

So as Scott Lewis asks in his commentary. Does this mean that Goldsmith's promise to keep the office of City Attorney apolitical has now been rescinded? Goldsmith says he can't recall he talked about joint powers authority as he stated to Mr. Lewis.

Goldsmith said he doesn't remember what he said at the forum. He said he always says that he would only "seek" the formation of a joint powers authority with other cities if the City Council approved of it.

"I did check with some folks who were taking notes and the notes were unclear about what I said. If I didn't say that last night, I need to clarify it," Goldsmith said.

Huh?

Trying to tackle(pun intended) the Charger issue on your own does seem to be a political ploy to me. Maybe snatch some bolt fan votes by saying I'll make sure this team doesn't leave San Diego County for Stockton or wherever.

What say you, good citizen?

The Devil You Know and The Devil You Don't

Here in San Diego we have a choice this November. It's not an easy choice like for President. (I mean c'mon the DNC was awesome and Obama's speech was even better.) It is the choice for San Diego City Attorney. Now, normally this would be a no brainer. However being we've got some what many would see as questionable candidates on both sides would make some see a difficult choice.

On one side we have the incumbent Mike Aguirre. Mike styles himself as a selfless crusader that is willing to expose corruption and hypocrisy regardless of who it is. I think he sees himself as RFK and is bringing back the mandate of a City Attorney that works for all San Diegans.

Yet, he has alienated key members of the traditional Democratic constituencies with his rhetoric on public sector unions, his perceived boorish behavior toward staff and people he believes as his opponents in his quest. Not to mention his questionable statements to the press like suggesting a citywide evacuation during the `07 firestorm. These issues have led some high profile Democrats to support his opponent, Jan Goldsmith.

However Jan Goldsmith isn't a great alternative. A former leader of Assembly Republicans in Sacramento. He has spent his entire political career fighting against progressive causes. I mean other then the bill to legalize ferrets. (I mean of all the issues to champion in this state, you choose ferrets? Really?) What did he do in Sacramento that would be seen as a major accomplishment?

Yet because he promises to return stability and normalcy to the City Attorney's office he has been able to peel off support that would have traditionally gone to Mike.

Now I'm not saying that Mike is down for the count, but you have to wonder what the game plan is to win in November. And ultimately the question for San Diego voters is do we vote for the devil we know or the devil we don't?

Your thoughts?

Update: Here's Aguirre's thoughts on those high profile Dems supporting Jan.

Jan Goldsmith at the San Diego Democratic Club

Last week it was reported in this blog that Mike Aguirre got the Dem Club nod but it did not mention that Jan was also there to plead for a no endorsement. Thanks to an old bylaw, Jan, a former Republican Leader in the State Assembly, could address the largely progressive and most effective Democratic party club in the county. Now to say this was weird is to understate it. I mean here's a guy who spent his entire political career trying to dismantle everything the Dem Club supports and is founded upon. He been on the record against marriage equality. He's endorsed by the San Diego Minutemen, who aren't exactly agents of tolerance with people of color. So this guy , that has questionable supporters at best, is talking to the Dem Club. A club that has carried the banner of inclusion and tolerance since its founding. What's next? Shrub joins The Climate Project and begins to crusade against Climate Change.

Your thoughts?

Mike Aguirre wins SDDC Endorsement

In what turned out to be a rather long and contentious meeting tonight, the San Diego Democratic Club endorsed incumbent Mike Aguirre for City Attorney. The meeting went on for over two hours, and during the discussion period became heated as some members of the club accused each other of making personal attacks upon each other. In the end, there were enough votes for Aguirre to secure the club's endorsement.

Now with the SDDC endorsement, Mike Aguirre will seek the Democratic Central Committee endorsement scheduled for July 8th. An endorsement he has failed twice before to secure.

GOP only have two real choices for San Diego Attorney

Recently, I have talked to members of the local Democratic Party, Lincoln Club, local Republican Party and a union activist over the San Diego City Attorney race. I walked away from all those conversations with the Oh My Gosh moment. GOP has only have two choices come November, Scott Peters or Mike Aguirre.

We all know Mike will make the general election, the polls, the talk from the San Diego downtown establishment and the party insiders all know it. So, the second name on the ballot will make the difference on who will beat or lose to Mike.

Scenario 1 – Scott Peters wins the second spot. The unions support Scott, along with the downtown interests, developers and the Democratic Party. The GOP and Lincoln Club stays neutral. Mike won't get his party's endorsement again, is blocked from large contributions and can't mount a major campaign. Mike doesn't get many major endorsements to boost his case, except for maybe the likes of Donna Frye. Mike has no volunteer base, no money and no chance to beat Scott.

Scenario 2 – Jan takes second place and unions are forced to support Mike over Jan. Mike now gets his party's endorsement, which comes with major money and major endorsements. Mike can now mail, gets on the air and gets a lot of volunteers. Mike calls press conferences weekly about every scandal, or so called possible scandal of the GOP, linking it all to Jan. Lincoln Club and GOP are forced to spend major money on the race or look foolish. There are GOP and Libertians that like Mike, eroding Jan's base and the Dems vote and do it as a vote against Jan. Mike will win it.

Scenario 3 – Brian takes second place, the unions might do what they just did in the mayor's race and endorse in name only at the last minute. However, the Democratic Party now is forced to endorse Mike. Mike can now mail, gets on the air and gets a lot of volunteers. Mike calls press conferences weekly about every scandal, or so called possible scandal of the GOP, linking it all to Brian, including the pension underfunding. Lincoln Club and GOP are forced to spend major money on Brian who they really don't like in the race or look foolish. There are GOP that like Mike and hate Brian, eroding Brian's possible base, many Libertians vote for Mike over Brian and the Dems vote and do it as a vote against Brian. Mike will win it.

GOP make your choice Mike or Scott.


Off the topic, but can't help but say, if Mike McSweeney had won the San Diego Unified School District seat two years ago, then he would never had taken a job for the mayor, been the scapegoat for Tom Shepard as so many others have done before and now have his public political career ruined.

Boling's Hands in All the Cookie Jars

I paid a visit to the Registar's office this morning to take a look into the sources of Jan Goldsmith's fundraising. Before I got more than a couple pages in, April Boling's name caught my eye as "Mr. Ferret's" treasurer. Today, Voice casually mentioned that Boling supports Goldsmith's campaign. We'll I'd hope so since she is on his payroll.

Intrigued by her ability to be the treasurer for her own campaign as well as another race at the same time, I decided to look into all the campaigns Boling has treasured.

The list is pretty impressive, and serves as a who's who of Downtown insiders. Just since 2004, Boling has worked for:

1. Kevin Faulconer for City Council
2. Brian Maienschein for City Council
4. San Diego County Republican Party Central Committee
5. Shirley Horton for Assembly
6. John McCann for Assembly
7. Garrick for Assembly
8. Friends of Paul Hegyi
9. Associated Builders and Contractors PAC
10. Associated General Contractors PAC
11. Anesthesia Service Medical Group PAC
12. Building Industry Association
13. Gen-Probe International
14. Hispanic 100
15. New Car Dealers Association
16. BIOCOM
17. San Diego County Taxpayers Association PAC
18. San Diego Lodging Industry Association PAC
19. San Diego Restaurant and Beverage Association PAC
20. Richman for Treasurer
21. Rancho Santa Fe Taxpayers for Fiscal Responsibility – No on H
22. Lincoln Club of San Diego County
23. Rogan for Congress
24. Jan Goldsmith for City Attorney
25. David Bejarano for Assembly
26. TaxpayerAdvocate.org
27. 21st Century PAC
28. Zettel for Senate
29. Stirling for Senate
30. Tricia Hunter for Assembly
31. California Republican League of One Hundred
32. Taxpayers for Shirley Horton
33. Barnett for School Board
34. Brannigan for Judge
35. Abbott for Assembly
36. Clyde Fuller for School Board
37. San Diegans for Congestion Relief – Yes on A
38. Reff for School Board
39. Independent Grocers and Convenience Stores PAC
40. Friends of Bob Watkins
41. Women for Arnold – sponsored by the Republican Pro-Choice Coalition
42. April Boling for City Council
43. Friends of Dick Murphy
44. Phil Thalheimer for City Council
45. Leslie Devaney for City Attorney

What is going on in the City Attorney's Race?

For the last week, I have been hearing all sorts of things happenings in the race for city attorney. Take all of it with a grain of salt, but here is what I have heard from multiple sources.

Mike Aguirre: I have been told that Pat Flannery who publishes the Blog of San Diego, has taken on a prominent role in Aguirre's re-election campaign. You got to wonder how at good and open government type like Pat will get along with Al Ducheny, who I understand is managing Aguirre's campaign.

Dan Coffey: With Scott Peters entry into the race there has been an effort by the friends of Scott, to get some of the other Democrats to drop out of the race. Lee Burdick saw the handwriting on the wall; dropped out and endorsed Peters. As of this writing, I'm told that Dan Coffey has been approached but has decided to continue in the race.

Jan Goldsmith: This is the most interesting thing I have heard. Apparently, he was caught off guard by the entry of Brian Maienschein into the race and this has created a bit of turmoil in some Republican circles. I understand that he is having a harder time raising money than he expected. I have also been told that he really doesn't want to fight itout in a contested primary and might drop out of the race before the filing period ends.

Dumanis and Kolendar to endorse this Jan Goldsmith?

The following was forwarded to me earlier this evening:

The Voice of San Diego reported this evening that city attorney candidate Jan Goldsmith will announce tomorrow the dual endorsement of Sheriff Bill Kolender and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. Last week, the Reader broke a story about 1986 allegations against Goldsmith for Domestic Violence. I am outraged – as all women should be – that our area’s top law enforcement officials would endorse an individual with a history of domestic violence who, if elected, would run the city’s Domestic Violence and Special Victims Unit. Tell Sheriff Kolender, DA Dumanis to “Break the Silence” and speak out against Domestic Violence as they endorse Judge Goldsmith. Thursday February 14th at noon at City Hall.

Unnecessary roughness
By Matt Potter Published Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008 , San Diego reader
Jostling in the race for San Diego city attorney is becoming more pronounced as the major candidates lining up against incumbent Mike Aguirre seek to gain advantage. Likely to play a role in the campaign are documents from the 1986 divorce case of one prospective contender, superior court judge and ex-Poway mayor Jan Goldsmith, whose wife Christine accused him of turning “a minor disagreement into a major altercation.” According to a signed statement by Christine dated April 15, 1986, Goldsmith “began yelling and screaming at me in obviously uncontrolled anger. He then gave me a hard shove in the chest and cocked his fist in an extremely threatening manner. All of this appeared in front of the children causing them to be extremely upset and telling their father not to hit their mother. He then began throwing items off the kitchen counter in his continuing rage. I could not leave at that time without further aggravating the situation and exposing myself to potentially further harm.” The next day, she said, she slept at her sister’s house with the children. “I am afraid to go back to the house the Respondent is still there as I feel his anger may once again get the best of him and he may, in fact, cause physical danger to myself and irreparable harm to both myself and our minor children.” The couple later reconciled and Christine dropped the divorce action against her husband, but the story may resonate during the upcoming campaign; part of the city attorney’s responsibilities include running the Domestic Violence and Special Victims Unit. Both Goldsmiths are judges; she was appointed in 1987, he in 1998. In a statement issued by his campaign consultant this week, Goldsmith and his wife noted that they have been married 33 years and said, “At about the 12-year mark — in 1986 — we had our only serious marital problem and were faced with whether to work it out or terminate the marriage. We decided to work it out. We went through several months of counseling and made lasting adjustments in the way we communicate.” He added, “No relationship is without its defining moment. We are by no means ashamed of the way we responded to our defining moment 21 years ago. In fact, we are proud of the way we responded and how our relationship has grown and continues to grow in our 34th year of marriage

Peters to Run for City Attorney

The UT is reporting this morning that councilmember Scott Peters will definitely run for city attorney and former Superintendent of City Schools Alan Bersin will not run. The decision came about following a weekend meeting between the two.

Bersin and Peters, who are friends, made a joint decision after discussing their options at a meeting Saturday in which they reviewed the results of a poll commissioned by Bersin, said the attendee, who spoke on condition of anonymity because neither man had authorized a public comment. [Link]

Peters joins an already crowded field of candidates who all seek to defeat incumbent City Attorney Mike Aguirre. His entry into the race provides an opportunity for Democrats who are dismayed by Aguirre erratic behavior to support a candidate that has a good opportunity to win the seat.

Peters may be our only hope

As the City Attorney's race heats up, those of us on the left should be VERY worried about the shape of the race.

As of now, we have a far-right nut job with Jan Goldsmith, an empty-suit conservative with Brian Maienschein, an all-over-the-map, union hating democrat with Mike Aguirre and two candidates who can't seem to get traction.

Lee Burdick is actually quite sensible and would be a great candidate if anyone knew her, but conventional wisdom says she will need a lot of money to compete in this field. And I hear, she can't pull the fundraising.

So who does that leave for us? Anti-worker former school-tyrant Alan Bersin is threatening (and I do mean threatening) to enter the field. His likelihood of getting a dem party or labor endorsement is on par with Republican Maienschein.

So what do we do? Encourage Scott Peters to run for City Attorney. Sure, he over-waters his lawn and hasn't been a favorite of labor or the party in the past, but he is a lot better than the alternatives. His "big" negative of the pension mess is going to get lost with another Councilmember in the race. I have never been one to advocate for the moderate, but he does seem to be the only Democrat that could garner enough support from labor, elected officials, enviromentalists, maybe even the Party and present a united front against the nightmare match-up of Goldsmith / Aguirre. He has proven himself on a number of key issues this year, including marriage equality and wal-mart, and holds a decent record with coastal environmentalists. Let's not forget this guy was an Environmental Attorney and is a former Coastal Commissioner. He even took a courageous stand on toilet to tap. Best of all, he has the money to self fund. Sources close to the Councilmember say he is considering it.

It may be an unconventional choice, but Peters may be our only hope.

City Atty. Race: WTF?

With Councilmember Brian Maienschein throwing his hat into the ring for City Attorney I can only ask the obvious; “Why?” Does he really think he stands a chance in this field?

Here are my thoughts on why he’s doing this:

1) Mike supporters are mostly Republican.
I base this bit of conjecture on the fact that if the Republicans were anti-Mike, their instinctive attraction to order would link them to a single candidate to carry the day. That doesn’t seem to be the case otherwise they wouldn’t have so much trouble fielding a candidate. Look, if you have unified party behind you in San Diego, you win, especially on the Republican side because at least they vote. The fact that people are shying away from this tells me there is more going on below the surface and the most obvious “candidate” is that Mike pulls from the Republicans in such a high number that, short of the Democrats endorsing him, they can’t make a partisan appeal.

So a more moderate influence is needed. Enter Brian betting, correctly I think, that his name recognition is higher in the City than Jan’s and, even if Mike pounds him into the sand, he can say he fought the good fight and stood up when none else did

2) Brian needs a job.
Our termed out councilman needs something to hang his hat on because the last thing legislators want to be is termed out. You lose the taxpayer paid staff, you’re not treated “special” and you don’t have access to the money chambers you once did. And the last thing anybody who was (they think) somebody wants to become is a nobody.

At minimum, by being a pain in Goldsmith’s hide he can burnish his credentials in being the anti-Goldsmith, whatever that becomes, as the race progresses. Any press is good press.

3) This is what happens when you’re in a city filled with big mouths and no guts.
A constant refrain from this race is the Aguirre needs to go, but those who would publicly say so or act towards this refuse to because they’re afraid of him. Last time I checked, I thought we lived in America where you could say what you wanted. Oops! I’m in San Diego where speaking your mind is a no-no unless approved from the oligarchs that run the city.

I’m overstating the case here but the point is that this race, like many others, will attract the second stringers and has-beens unless those who can make difference dare speak out for what they believe. Short of that, San Diegans deserve what they’ll get: four more years of Sanders and Aguirre.

Because if this race were to be taken seriously, Brain wouldn’t have dreamed of entering.

Thoughts on the City Attorney Race

Gentry out
Chalk it up to yet another misfire by the office of Dumanis in her quest for increasing political clout on her ill-advised march to the Attorney Generals office in Sacramento. Gentry seems like a nice guy, but when your own party’s establishments coaxes a judge to leave his cushy gig to take on Mike, you’ve got to smell, if not see, the writing on the wall to bail while you can.

Aguirre
Since when does a sitting City Attorney give a counter State of the City address? Look, I think Mike has done some good and that his heart is in the right place, but when he spends his time playing like he wants to be mayor but lacks the balls to actually run you’ve have to question his motives. Especially given his increasing bipolar behavior in relation to the City Council and Mayor.

Coffey
I’m developing a soft spot for this guy. He’s everywhere you want to be and he’ll bury you with anti-Mike facts that do check out. The problem is that he goes into “passion mode” and turns into an angry white fanatic who turns people off. He needs to focus and tone it down lest he be tuned out.

Burdick
Who? Her reasons for running seem to barely pass muster but her motives don’t seem all that pure. In fact, she appears to be more of a front for Jim’s Air and as a siphon for Democratic votes, given how reliable they have been in the past. If you want to keep Brown Field in the background, there are better ways to do this than to send out a sacrificial lamb.

Goldsmith
It’s odd, yet wouldn’t be unheard of, for some consultants somewhere launching Burdick at the Dems to bleed Mike but the most ardent Mike supporters, IMHO, are Republicans. He appeals to their kind of crazy. As such, I wish Jan the best of luck. His old Assembly District never offered him the kind of street fight that Mike can bring. And Gentry’s clearing the field doesn’t make this effort any easier. Remember that is always better to take down a bear is said bear is attacked by a pack of wolves rather than a few

Bersin
Why do moneyed Dems in San Diego think that they must ape their Republican counterparts to be players? I ask the ether of the internet this question because I don’t know of anyone else who is salivating at a Bersin run. The teachers are still (rightfully) pissed and, even though he won’t need a solid Dem bloc to win, he’ll have a hard time convincing the Dems giving the rising power of labor in the city. His resume is one that a consultant would love in that it screams “non-partisan” even though it can be argued that he is a partisan of convenience.

These are my thoughts. (Hand outstretched) What are yours?

And Bill Gentry?

I’m not one to cry for Republicans, but this is too obvious to pass up. It appears that someone with the balls to step up when no one else would is about to be sacrificed for expediency's sake by a latecomer.

Bill Gentry. Republican. War hero. Great civil servant from Dumanis’s office.running against Mike Aguirre.

Enter Jan Goldsmith. Republican. Former Judge and State Assemblyman. A known commodity running against Mike Aguirre.

Now, I’m on the outside of this inter-party dust up, but it would appear that a good man is about to be abandoned by his stalwarts for a more seasoned politician in the name of party unity.

This is politics and nothing is ever fair but I think we should take a moment to reflect on just how desperate times have become on the “red” side

Some facts:
1) Bill got in the race first and, from what I’ve been told, isn’t the most compelling guy in the room but he seemed sincere in his desire to take on Mike even if he had to talked into it.

2) Then comes Goldsmith, whom it seems had to be talked into it as well.

3) Because these guys had to be “talked” into it doesn’t bode well for an Aguirre take down in that there are enough dissatisfied Dems to make it happen, but these guys appear to lack the fire in the belly that Aguirre has to win cross over votes.

As such, the weaker of the two must go and that will be Gentry because:

1) The Reps need a unified front to take out Aguirre because, and let be honest here, he appeals to both sides of the aisle in pointing out the endemic corruption that is San Diego City government

2) Bonnie has ambitions to be the next attorney general for California so she’s not going to save the guy from her office lest she cross her future supporters in the Rep establishment.

3) Gentry has little real support and is, therefore, expendable.

So the Republicans continue their grand tradition of eating their young, or at least their farm team, to appear unified in the face of a major challenge that, as of this writing, they don’t seem committed to.

This says something about the local rep establishment, what Bonnie is willing to do for her career, and the hapless state of the local GOP.

Lee Burdick joins race for City Attorney

The field for City Attorney has gotten a bit more crowded today. VOSD is reporting this afternoon that Jimsair in-house attorney Lee Burdick has declared her intention to run for City Attorney in 2008.[Link]

Burdick who is a registered Democrat and has ties to the Regional Chamber of Commerce joins Democratic attorney Dan Coffey, Republican deputy D.A. William Gentry, and Republican former Assemblymember turned Judge Jan Goldsmith as challengers to Mike Aguirre.

Thursday - Quick Hits

More on Mike Aguirre failing to secure an early endorsement. VOSD

California Coastal Commission to weigh in on Carlsbad desalination plant. VOSD

Jan Goldsmith take first step toward running for City Attorney. VOSD

Who cares about the residents of Del Cero. CSU Trustees approve SDSU expansion. UT

Two weeks late in opening, but city's Winter Shelter finally set to open this weekend. UT

Encinitas bans smoking on city beaches. UT

Study recommends expanding State Route 76 to four lanes. NCTimes