By Megan Burks
Tomorrow is the first time residents of City Heights will vote as members of the city council’s ninth district. The community and politicos alike will be watching to see, not just who wins, but also what precedent voters set for the new district.
That’s because redistricting volunteers who shaped the district last year aimed to increase the chance of electing a Latino to office by creating a second Latino voting bloc in San Diego.
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The district, which spans neighborhoods from the College Area to Southcrest, is slightly more than 50 percent Latino. But a majority of Latinos in the district are too young to vote.
If one of the candidates—Latino businessman Mateo Camarillo and white incumbent Marti Emerald—receives more than 50 percent of the votes, tomorrow’s election will determine City Heights’ next representative and tell us just how much of an impact redistricting made.
Over the past six months, Speak City Heights and its partners have quizzed the candidates on City Heights issues in an effort to help you cast your vote in this landmark election. Below is a roundup of that coverage.
CITY COUNCIL – DISTRICT 9
Mateo Camarillo, who chaired the Latino Redistricting Committee, said he’s running to represent Latinos and immigrants. An immigrant himself, Camarillo attended Hoover High School and San Diego State University and went on to become a social worker. He’s led several groups in advocating for immigrant rights, including bilingual services. Camarillo owns a McDonald’s franchise in Linda Vista and said he’ll bring his business approach to City Hall.
Read a Voice of San Diego reader’s guide to Mateo Camarillo.
Marti Emerald currently represents the northeast corner of City Heights as councilwoman for the seventh district, which includes the College Area and Tierrasanta. Before being elected to office in 2008, Emerald was a broadcast journalist known as “The Troubleshooter.” In City Heights, Emerald is best known for her work as chair of the city’s public safety committee. She advocates for community-police partnerships, works with Latino youth and volunteers at the community’s monthly curfew sweep.
Read a Voice of San Diego reader’s guide to Marti Emerald.
Where they stand on City Heights issues:
• Youth Issues: Jobs, Free Bus Passes and a Skatepark
• Covering the Basics: Utilities Rates
• The City’s Growing Bike Contingent
• Improving Mid-City Transit
• Developing El Cajon Boulevard
• Sustaining Urban Renewal
• Policing a Multicultural Neighborhood
• Engaging the Latino Base
More: See the candidates square off on KPBS Evening Edition.
BOARD OF EDUCATION – SUB DISTRICT E
Marne Foster is running to replace Shelia Jackson, who currently represents families in the Crawford and Lincoln clusters. Foster is a community college administrator and instructor who works at the City Heights continuing education campus. She says she’ll bring her experience as a parent of four to the table. She’s had to go to bat for her child with special needs and says navigating the school system shouldn’t be as difficult for parents as it was for her.
Read a Voice of San Diego Q&A with Marne Foster.
Bill Ponder is also running for Jackson’s seat. He grew up in southeastern San Diego and went on to teach in K-12 schools and serve as vice president of Eastern Washington University. He’s touted his administrative background as proof he can fix the district’s financial problems and ease district-union negotiations.
Read a Voice of San Diego Q&A with Bill Ponder.
More: See what the candidates said at a debate in southeastern San Diego.
Find out where they stand on the issue with this at-a-glance scorecard.
See Bill Ponder on KPBS Evening Edition.
CITY OF SAN DIEGO – MAYOR
Nathan Fletcher is currently a state assemblyman representing the inland north county communities. He recently left the Republican Party to become an independent. He’s made waves this election season by courting San Diego’s bike community. He says he’ll advocate for innovative bike and transit infrastructure.
Bob Filner represents south San Diego County and Imperial County in Congress. He’s the only major Democrat in the race and is well known for his support of the DREAM Act, which would create a path to citizenship for undocumented students. Filner has made appearances in City Heights to support free student bus passes.
Carl DeMaio currently serves the Scripps Ranch area on City Council. He’s a Republican pushing for a leaner City Hall. He wants to get rid of pensions for city employees and limit union pull in city construction contracts. He touts a comprehensive plan for repairing roads and safeguarding funds for future repairs.
Bonnie Dumanis has served the city for more than three decades, most recently as San Diego’s district attorney. She has the endorsement of her colleague and fellow Republican, Mayor Jerry Sanders. She says her experience as a leader in city government is her biggest asset.
See where they stand on City Heights Issues:
• Latino Education Gap and Immigration
• Public Transit and Bikes
• Public Safety
• Roads and Sidewalks
• Schools
• Redevelopment
More: See where the candidates stand with this easy-to-read scorecard.
For information on the propositions and other races, visit Voice of San Diego and KPBS. Click here for all of our City Heights election coverage.