By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO — Jewish candidates are participating in a variety of races this June 5, ranging from local school board contests to a reelection campaign for the U.S. Senate. San Diego Jewish World would like to congratulate all the following members of our community for their participation in the political process and to urge them to continue to conduct their campaigns in a way that makes their fellow Jews kvell.
As the primary election draws closer, there will be a temptation for some to fight harder, to spend more, and to sometimes say things they’ll later wish had not escaped their lips. We urge candidates from our community to focus on their ideas, their strengths, their vision — and not to be drawn into mudslinging contests no matter what the provocation.
We understand that in an age of 30-second television spots, scurrilous mailers, and anonymous telephone callers that it is hard to stand one’s moral ground and refuse to engage in lashon hara (evil speech), but the ways candidates conduct themselves–the examples they set for our children–in the long run are far more important than even their election or reelection. Dignity needs to be restored to the election process in the United States, and we hope that candidates from our community will lead the way.
As we look down the ballot, we offer our congratulations and best wishes to these community members:
U.S. Senate — Dianne Feinstein, incumbent
U.S. Congress, 53rd District — Susan A. Davis, incumbent
State Senator, 39th District — Marty Block, Assembly member
San Diego Community College, District B — Bernie Rhinerson, Educator
Mayor, City of San Diego — Bonnie Dumanis, District Attorney, and Bob Filner, U.S. Representative
Councilman, 7th District, City of San Diego — Mat Kostrinsky, home health advocate
Councilwoman, new 9th District, City of San Diego – Marti Emerald, Councilwoman 7th district
If there are other members of the Jewish community running on San Diego County ballots, we will be delighted to hear from them and to extend our congratulations and hopes for their good and meaningful campaigns.
We are mindful as well that there are many non-Jewish candidates on the ballot who have been longtime friends of our community, and who have good cases to make for soliciting our support.
If any candidate, or supporter, cares to tell us of their interactions with the Jewish community and provide positive reasons for supporting them, we will be most interested to learn, and to pass these thoughts along to our readership. Please send your comments to the email address below.
Hazak! Hazak!
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted at donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com
WELL SAID, DON! I hope that our Jewish candidates will lead the way without mudslinging and and negativity —and that others at all levels will follow –
sfg
Hi Don:
Thanks for mentioning me as one of the local Jewish candidates running for office in your article.
In a way, my running for the Community College Board is an outgrowth of my Jewish values, a commitment to equality and a commitment to education. I believe that one of the most positive ways we can have Tikkun Olam, or repair the world, is by providing a quality education for ALL of our citizens. Equal and equitable access to public education are at risk in our community as a result of state budget cuts. I will be a tireless advocate for improving access for students to community colleges and for adequate funding for public education.
I invite our Jewish community to join me in the fight to save public education and to please support me for election to the Community College Board in the June 5 primary and in November.
Bernie