By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO –Here are the endorsements of the San Diego Jewish World for local offices now being contested in San Diego County. Our publication focuses on open seats and upon those several offices where the challenger seems preferable to the incumbent. Comments, rebuttals, congratulations, and readers’ political commentary (so long as it is civil) is welcome.
SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE, DISTRICT B — Bernie Rhinerson will make a wonderful San Diego Community College Trustee. As chief of staff at the San Diego Unified School District, he has gained valuable insight into the inner workings of the educational system and as a policy maker he’ll do his best to provide college students with the best learning opportunities possible.
SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT ONE–Ray Ellis will be a good replacement for Sherri Lightner on the San Diego City Council. He has a calm, civil way going about solving problems, and his conciliatory voice of reason may prove a balm for the rancor and partisanship that has occasionally kept the San Diego City Council from tackling the issues affecting us.
SAN DIEGO MAYOR — We endorsed Bob Filner for mayor in the primary election and see no reason to change our mind. He is a compassionate man who since his time as a college student and Freedom Rider has gone to bat for the little guy. We need that kind of courage in our city.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, DISTRICT THREE — Dave Roberts will bring a necessary different viewpoint to a Board of Supervisors whose members have been there so long, they have a natural preference for the status quo.
CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY, DISTRICT 77– Brian Maienschein was a voice of moderation while serving on the San Diego City Council, and we anticipate he will bring a willingness to build bipartisan coalitions to the state Assembly.
CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY, DISTRICT 79– Shirley Weber is our choice. We know she is not shy about speaking up for what she believes in, and we believe that she believes in helping California restore itself as one of the nation’s top states for education.
CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE — We give the nod to Marty Block in recognition of his hard work in behalf of bettering education, while at the same time admitting that we are sorry that we have to choose between him and another good man, George Plescia, who is his Republican opponent. But choose we must, and we recommend a “Block” vote.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 51ST District — To replace Filner in Congress, we’re getting behind Juan Vargas, mindful that the two longtime political opponents have now reconciled. If Vargas can bury the hatchet with Filner, perhaps he’ll be able to reduce some of the extreme partisanship that now afflicts the House of Representatives.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 52nd District — we choose Scott Peters over incumbent Brian Bilbray. We like the fact that he has been an innovative voice on the San Diego Port Commission and remember that back in the days when he was on the San Diego City Council tried to reconcile some of the differences that always seem to crop up in La Jolla.
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Additionally, there are two incumbents whom we think have done a great job and recommend they be returned to office. We’re proud to say both are members of our Jewish community.
U.S. Senate — Dianne Feinstein
U.S. House of Representatives, 53rd C.D. — Susan Davis
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Now, what about the presidential race? We will be watching the next two debates between President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and will make our recommendation after we’ve had the time to carefully consider what both candidates have to say.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted at donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com