The homogenization of San Diego City Hall has led to unhealthy groupthink among elected officials. This is why in February the U-T Editorial Board was happy to endorse Coleen Cusack, a hard-charging attorney, in the race for council District 3, which has Hillcrest at its center and includes parts of Mission Valley, Mission Hills and downtown. We often disagree with Cusack, but she brings up smart, contrary takes on housing, treatment of the homeless and law enforcement that deserve to be heard. Incumbent Stephen Whitburn, by contrast, sees city success stories wherever he looks. He even downplayed the city’s failure during January’s severe flooding to have storm drains that actually, you know, drain storm waters. We affirm our endorsement of Cusack.
But in the race for council District 9, which includes Normal Heights, the College Area and a sliver of territory south of the 94 Freeway, we back incumbent Sean Elo-Rivera. In his interview with the U-T Editorial Board, challenger Terry Hoskins, a retired police officer, offered comionate insights from his dealings with the homeless. In his interview with the editorial board, however, Elo-Rivera showed the broad command of issues that fueled his quick rise to council president. He also was refreshingly candid. He acknowledged the reasons for disappointment with city leaders are many. He noted that political realities have limited the city’s ability to use innovative approaches to adding housing that cost a fraction of the California norm. He expressed regret over the personal turn his dispute with City Attorney Mara Elliott has taken. He also emphasizes an issue in need of far more attention — the high cost of child care.
Elo-Rivera will be rejected by those who see San Diego as a failure, even if it is doing better than many big cities in California. If he had a better-versed opponent who sharply questioned his dubious stands on issues like rent control, our choice would have been more difficult. But on this ballot, he is clearly the best candidate to represent District 9.
