March 9th is the deadline to file for a seat on the San Diego Unified School Board in the June 5, 2012 primary. A Democrat (John Evans) presently holds the Republican-leaning District A post. But Republican Mitz Lee won here in 2004, and beat Evans 60% to 40% in the 2008 primary… so it is winnable. If YOU, or someone you know lives here and supports real education reform, here is your chance. As of the 2010 election rules, only 200 voter signatures and $200 gets you on the ballot. Who wants to be a school board member? And no, you don’t have to be a millionaire to win.
….. HOW A DEMOCRAT WON A REPUBLICAN SEAT IN 2008
“OK,” you are asking, “If Mitz Lee (R) won the 2008 Dist. A primary with 60% of the vote, then why is John Evans (D) now the incumbent ?” Answer: in significant part because teacher union campaign committees spent a reported $300,000 , helping hand John Evans to a 54% win in the citywide November runoff.
The Union-Tribune of October 30, 2008 reported, “The San Diego Education Association — with help from the California Teachers Association — has invested more than $300,000 in a campaign that includes television commercials, radio spots, mailers and e-mail letters. The campaign attacks Mitz Lee for some budget cuts she voted for. It also blames Lee for personnel reductions over the past three years.”
But with the district in financial straits in 2012, it will be harder for labor unions to “influence” more election victories in 2012…in fact it will be a really tough sale with the City Pension Reform issue now dominating local political debate. Here is how District A voters responded in that June 2008 primary election contest … Mitz Lee (R) , 18,391 votes … John Evans (D), 12,082 votes.
….. REVIEWING THE DISTRICT A SITUATION BOARD
Incumbent John Evans (D) can be vulnerable to a 2012 election challenge in District A Just look at those fine neighborhoods … Mira Mesa, North Clairemont, Bay Park, University City, East Clairemont. That should be a Republican enclave. Candidates run within District A in the June primary. The top two finishers then progress to the citywide runoff in November.
….. IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDED QUESTIONS
If prospective candidates or supporters have questions, please post them here, or write to me directly at this e-mail address for a personal response: YourElectionVictory@hotmail.com
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DISCLOSURE: Jim Sills has no existing professional campaign connection to candidates mentioned in this article.
Comments 8
Thank you for advertising this Jim! I have been working with parent groups to find someone to run in both Evans and Barrera’s areas. We can’t give them a free pass or the inclination that we support what they have done to this district.
I hope someone will step up. There are many parents who will help them gather signatures, help with their campaigns and donate funds.
Even if a conservative/libertarian candidate ultimately loses, it will force discussion of the education issues, the candidate has a good chance of winning the primary at district level, and the campaign will cost the unions AT LEAST $100K to defend the indefensible in the general election — confiscated union dues that otherwise will be spent on tax increase props or other liberal candidates. The proverbial win-win-(win).
We need a candidate!!
Thank you GOP Mom of Three, and Richard Rider.
Please Keep up the great work you are doing!
There is still ample time for a candidate or
candidates to step forward and succeed.
The Top 2 finishers in the primary go on to
the runoff, even if an incumbent gets over
50% in June. That leaves many months to
build their winning Momentum.
FYI – If you are a young, politically ambitious conservative this is a great seat to run for IF during a future election you would like to run for the new “mira mesa” centric council seat. I don’t have time to do the numbers but I believe it is over an 80% overlap.
John has been, bluntly, a disaster. Even if you DON’T win you get a chance to get your name out there, build campaign connections and set yourself up nicely for 2014. PLEASE, someone run.
Erik
(Who would run if not stuck firmly in his PUSD located suburban home)
He has time and again proposed logical balanced budgets. I’m not too concerned with his party affiliation outside of his school board duties. He may not have an ‘R’ next to his name, but he is fiscally responsible. To gopmomofthree , what is it that he has done that you do not support, specifically?
Launie maybe I just missed it but has Evans pushed for the Teachers union (San Diego Educators Association) to return to the bargaining table? So far Barnett has been the only one. Lets also add in his corrupt (sorry but true) support for the Project Labor agreement. No, he is NOT a conservative and really doesn’t qualify as center-right. We need a challenger.
Under pressure from the union, Evans voted to give teachers a huge raise when it was common knowledge that the economy would not recover by the start date. The board majority only listened to the governor’s rosy prediction that money would start rolling in. Staff warned them, the state comptroller warned them, parents begged them to not do it. Even their own documents pointed to the fact that if the economy didn’t improve by the end of 2013, 103% of the budget would be compensation. Enough said (although I can state more if you like). He is a pleasant fellow, I’ll give you that.
As far as I know, Evans has not spoken out against the ridiculous 7% teacher pay increase scheduled for next year from previous giveaway “negotiations.” I seem to recall that, even if they got the money they thought this year, by 2013 the district would be paying over 100% of the entire budget just for employee payroll and benefits.
One cannot remain passive in the face of such a coming train wreck. That’s NOT leadership — or perhaps it’s just the wrong KIND of leadership. Union fidelity is no substitute for sound fiscal management.