Here is the first of 3 profiles on San Diego Unified School Board seats voters will start filling with the June 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: because teacher union campaign committees spent a reported $300,000 on the contest, helping hand John Evans 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 desperate financial straits in 2011, it will be harder for the Usual labor unions to – uhhhhh – “influence” more election victories in 2012…in fact it will be a really tough sale with the City Pension Reform issue dominating local political debate.
June 2008 primary, District A…. Mitz Lee (R) , 18,391 votes…. John Evans (D), 12,082 votes.
…..Reviewing the District A Situation Board
Incumbent John Evans is vulnerable to a 2012 election challenge in District A Look at those 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
Comments 9
First, the school district helps pay for filing fees….so you don’t have to spend a dime to start (can’t understand why they are going bankrupt!).
Second, John (last name withheld for privacy), please take this article to heart. It can be done! Our kids need you… There is a lot of support out there if you choose to run.
Third, thank you for promoting this on Rostra. I believe we have an excellent opportunity to make a difference. As Rahm says, “don’t waste a good crisis”. We can change the majority and bring common sense back!
We must stop robbing our children of their future. We the voters speak for them and they depend on us for that voice. We must get qualifiedd candidates who will put the children before ambition! THE CHILDREN ARE THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF OUR FUTURE. Basic common sense must prevail. Thank you Rostra for putting our kids first!
Thank you for the energy and good ideas, GOP Mom of 3 and Vicky Kerley ! There is
great opportunity here for the Right Men and Women to reclaim our local school systems.
The real problem here is the citywide second vote requirement. That’s prime opportunity for the union to flex its financial and organizational muscle beyond the level of what most independent candidates can provide. Unless the GOP can muster up a lot of support (or two anti-union candidates can get the top 2 spots in the primary), it’s going to be difficult to get past that 2nd stage.
That said, this looks like the best shot we’ve got. Would love to see a strong candidate here to keep Evans honest.
Well since Mitz Lee was ready to sell us all out on City of San Diego redistricting its probably a good thing that she was eliminated early.
Leaving aside the attack on Mitz and I think a misunderstanding of what the APAC plan did or did not do compared to what we have now it is undoubtedly the case that winning this race with a rock solid fiscal conservative who understood how to give voice to right-center educational reforms would be invaluable to the Party/movement.
Is there no one in La Jolla or UTC that is an up and comer? If I didn’t live in 4S I would be all over this.
Hi Erik:
District A does include University City and UTC/Golden Triangle, but La Jolla was moved to district C in a self-serving remap process.
Other District A neighborhoods include East Clairemont, Bay Park, Mira Mesa, North Clairemont , Kearny Mesa and most of South Clairemont.
Anyone who lives in those communties is a potential candidate, and of course an important school Voter next June. Readers of this thread are encouraged to “spread the word” about this significant Reform opportunity…. [As Erik has done right here!]
Jim, you’re right. My bad not to read the map above. Any, first even fiscally conservative Dem that gets in the race – I promise to write $100 check.
Reform. What reform? Conserving yesterday’s liberal schools is oxymoronic. What is the plan? I don’t believe replacing rock solid fiscally liberal board members with rock solid fiscally conservative board members solves the problem of rock solid statist institutions. It’s for the children. No it is not. Every statist institution has one goal, self perpetuation. Spend your time on real reform. With all due respect let statist institutions go belly up. Work instead for replacement institutions.