The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board Endorsement Guide 2018
Your essential guide to the November 2018 election
Here are all of The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board’s endorsements for the Nov. 6 election. Click here to view our printable ballot recommendations. Click here to view the list on your phone. To read or listen to our complete interviews and see pro-con packages on ballot measures, please visit sdut.us/2018interviews. To hear podcasts about the most high-profile races and how we made our recommendations, please visit sdut.us/2018audio. To earn your right to complain, please vote.
U.S. Senate: Dianne Feinstein
Dianne Feinstein’s strengths — her smarts and gravitas, her strong relationships with senators from both parties, her deep knowledge of national security issues, her history of getting things done instead of grandstanding — were on admirable display in her two recent interviews with the U-T Editorial Board. These strengths always were likely to secure her another term in the Senate.
She gets our endorsement.
Mike Levin
U.S. House, 49th District: Mike Levin
Mike Levin was better on several big issues — including gun violence prevention, nuclear waste storage and his dissection of how President Donald Trump encouraged intolerance and Republican recklessness on the environment. Voters can have hope that Levin would grow into the job.
He gets our endorsement.
Ammar Campa-Najjar
U.S. House, 50th District: Ammar Campa-Najjar
Ammar Campa-Najjar is not doctrinaire on issues, criticizing the 2017 state gas tax hike pushed through by Gov. Jerry Brown. In short, he meets the test of being a credible candidate. We endorse Campa-Najjar for Congress. He is far superior to the troubled incumbent.
He gets our endorsement.
Juan Vargas
U.S. House, 51st District: Juan Vargas
As an incumbent, Juan Vargas deserves a new term.
He gets our endorsement.
Scott Peters
U.S. House, 52nd District: Scott Peters
As an incumbent, Scott Peters deserves a new term.
He gets our endorsement.
Susan Davis
U.S. House, 53rd District: Susan Davis
As an incumbent, Susan Davis deserves a new term.
She gets our endorsement.
California governor: Gavin Newsom
With his deep understanding of complex state issues and his energy, Gavin Newsom has the potential to be an aggressive reformer in a state that badly needs one. Vote Newsom for governor.
He gets our endorsement.
Eleni Kounalakis
California lieutenant governor: Eleni Kounalakis
Eleni Kounalakis is far more outspoken about using the lieutenant governor’s seat on the University of California Board of Regents to challenge UC leaders, from President Janet Napolitano down. We’re confident that Kounalakis won’t be invisible if elected, unlike many past lieutenant governors. She deserves your vote.
She gets our endorsement.
Xavier Becerra
California attorney general: Xavier Becerra
Xavier Becerra’s opponent — Republican Steven Bailey — doesn’t have an adequate background for as big and complex a job as attorney general of America’s most populous and richest state.
He gets our endorsement.
Alex Padilla
California state secretary: Alex Padilla
As an incumbent, Alex Padilla deserves another term.
He gets our endorsement.
Betty Yee
California state controller: Betty Yee
As an incumbent, Betty Yee deserves another term.
She gets our endorsement.
Marshall Tuck
State superintendent of schools: Marshall Tuck
His energy, background and clear understanding of what it takes to improve education make him not just a good choice but a great one. Vote Marshall Tuck for superintendent of public instruction.
He gets our endorsement.
Fiona Ma
California state treasurer: Fiona Ma
This Editorial Board endorses Fiona Ma, a Democrat on the California State Board of Equalization, for treasurer.
She gets our endorsement.
Steve Poizner
State insurance commissioner: Steve Poizner
Steve Poizner’s experience makes him a far superior candidate. And his victory might lead to more centrist independents seeking office in an era in which California Republicans are routinely routed in statewide races. That would be a good thing. Voters deserve options.
He gets our endorsement.
Joel Anderson
California Board of Equalization, District 4: Joel Anderson
This Editorial Board endorses Republican Joel Anderson for the Board of Equalization District 4
He gets our endorsement.
Pat Bates
36th State Senate District: Patricia Bates
Republican incumbent Patricia Bates deserves another term.
She gets our endorsement.
Brian Jones
38th State Senate District: Brian Jones
Republican Senate candidate and former Assemblyman Brian Jones for the 38th District.
He gets our endorsement.
Ben Hueso
40th State Senate District: Ben Hueso
Democratic incumbent state Sen. Ben Hueso for the 40th District.
He gets our endorsement.
Randy Voepel
71st Assembly District: Randy Voepel
Republican incumbents Randy Voepel for the 71st District.
He gets our endorsement.
Marie Waldron
75th Assembly District: Marie Waldron
Marie Waldron for the 75th District.
She gets our endorsement.
Tasha Boerner Horvath
76th Assembly District: Tasha Boerner Horvath
Tasha Boerner Horvath has much more relevant experience and shows a pragmatic streak on issues like housing, rent control and paying for road improvements that is a good fit with a North County district that has roughly the same numbers of Democrats, Republicans and independents.
She gets our endorsement.
Brian Maienschein
77th Assembly District: Brian Maienschein
Brian Maienschein for the 77th District.
He gets our endorsement.
Todd Gloria
78th Assembly District: Todd Gloria
Todd Gloria for the 78th District.
He gets our endorsement.
Shirley Weber
79th Assembly District: Shirley Weber
Shirley Weber for the 79th District.
She gets our endorsement.
Lorena Gonzalez
80th Assembly District: Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher
Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher for the 80th District.
She gets our endorsement.
Supreme Court judges
State Supreme Court Justices: Carol Corrigan and Leondra Kruger
This Editorial Board endorses both Carol Corrigan and Leondra Kruger.
Both get our endorsement.
District judges
Fourth District Court of Appeal Justices
This Editorial Board endorses all 14 Fourth District Court of Appeal Justices including Patricia Benke, Richard Huffman, Judith Haller, Cynthia Aaron, Joan Irion, William Dato, Patricia Guerrero, Art McKinster, Douglas Miller, Marsha Slough, Richard Fields, Raymond Ikola, David Thompson, and Thomas Goethals.
They get our endorsement.
San Diego County Supervisor, 4th District: Nathan Fletcher
As Nathan Fletcher told us in his interview, “If you want the county you’ve had the last 30 years then vote for Bonnie Dumanis.” We think the county needs a wake-up call, and Fletcher is far more likely to jolt it out of complacency. Vote for Nathan Fletcher for supervisor.
He gets our endorsement.
San Diego County Supervisor, 5th District: Jim Desmond
In his two interviews this year with The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board, Desmond spoke thoughtfully about housing and land-use issues and promised to bring “a different set of ideas and a different set of eyes” to a county board that has been extraordinarily complacent about problems.
He gets our endorsement.
Matt Brower
San Diego County Superior Court: Matt Brower
Deputy District Attorney Matt Brower would be a strong candidate even if he weren’t going against a censured conspiracist. His work as a judge advocate in the Marine Corps Reserve is invaluable background for the job.
He gets our endorsement.
Lorie Zapf
San Diego City Council, District 2: Lorie Zapf
Lorie Zapf was one of the first elected officials to begin asking serious questions about hepatitis A early on because of her concerns about it spreading along the San Diego River. And while city officials floundered for far too long on a vacation rental policy and the policy’s viability is still at question, Zapf was again at the front of the line, working harder than other colleagues to find a resolution to an issue that sharply divided City Hall.
She gets our endorsement.
Monica Montgomery
San Diego City Council, District 4: Monica Montgomery
Myrtle Cole’s had a chance to work with her community. Let’s give it now to someone who is more responsive and more willing to take stands on difficult issues. We disagree with Monica Montgomery on rent control, for one thing, but she’s the better choice.
She gets our endorsement.
Chris Cate
San Diego City Council, District 6: Chris Cate
Chris Cate is one of the most visible council members and says he has held more neighborhood forums than any of his colleagues. He has upgraded senior centers in Mira Mesa and Clairemont and helped create 50 new Neighborhood Watch groups. In interviews, Cate, a Republican, had a better handle on city issues than his challenger.
He gets our endorsement.
Vivian Moreno
San Diego City Council, District 8: Vivian Moreno
Vivian Moreno had a better handle on complex issues such as binational relations and business development, and she had more nuanced takes on the convention center expansion and city pensions, suggesting an attention to detail even if we don’t see eye-to-eye.
She gets our endorsement.
Kevin Beiser
San Diego Unified School District, District B: Kevin Beiser
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board endorses incumbent Kevin Beiser, a lifelong educator who knows the school district inside-out.
He gets our endorsement.
Michael McQuary
San Diego Unified School District, District C: Michael McQuary
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board endorses incumbent Michael McQuary, a lifelong educator who knows the school district inside-out.
He gets our endorsement.
Matt Hall
Carlsbad mayor: Matt Hall
Carlsbad is guaranteed new voices at City Hall. But it would benefit from veteran leadership.
He gets our endorsement.
Mary Salas
Chula Vista mayor: Mary Salas
Mary Salas, a Democrat, is the easy choice over her Republican opponent Hector Gastelum, an Otay water board member better known for inflammatory anti-Muslim remarks than stellar public service. Gastelum is a loose cannon who shows little grasp of Chula Vista issues. Vote for Salas for mayor.
She gets our endorsement.
Sam Abed
Escondido mayor: Sam Abed
Escondido Mayor Sam Abed, a Republican and former IBM engineer, is not everyone’s cup of tea. But when he talks of a “big transformation” for Escondido, it’s tough to argue. Vote Sam Abed for mayor of Escondido.
He gets our endorsement.
It would authorize $4 billion in state general obligation bonds for housing-related programs and housing loans for veterans.
California must adopt solutions, not nostrums. Vote no on Proposition 1.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote no.
It would authorize the state to use Proposition 63 revenue — about $120 million a year — to pay off $2 billion in new revenue bonds for homelessness prevention housing for those in need of mental health services.
This measure is constructive public policy with little apparent downside.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote yes.
It asks voters to approve $8.9 billion in bond funds for water projects.
The state’s need for improved water infrastructure and new water storage facilities is plain. But there are strong reasons to reject Proposition 3
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote no.
It would authorize the sale of $1.5 billion in general obligation bonds, with 90 percent going to the 13 children’s hospitals for capital improvement projects.
Thanks to Gov. Jerry Brown’s coolness to bonds, even if all the measures now before voters pass, the state is on track to spend less than 5 percent of its general fund budget on bond payments — a relatively small amount.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote yes.
It would allow homeowners over 55 or who are severely disabled to transfer Proposition 13 property tax protections to newly bought homes anywhere in the state.
It’s actually a smart idea that will both give older people more flexibility with their lives and introduce liquidity to a housing market that could badly use it. The revenue it would cost local government is relatively small. Vote yes on Proposition 5.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote yes.
It would repeal the fuel and vehicle-license taxes and fees that Gov. Jerry Brown got the Legislature to enact last year, reducing the excise tax on gasoline by 12 cents, among many changes.
The exaggerated claims about how much this would save motorists and how certain it is that the $5 billion a year generated by the 2017 law will be diverted for non-transportation uses are also sure to round up votes.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote no.
It would allow the Legislature to stop the time changes and to put California on daylight-saving time or Pacific Standard Time year-round.
Following Pacific Standard Time all year would be good for public health. Following daylight-saving time year-round would be horrible for adolescents. So we support Proposition 7 — but if it passes, we’ll press the Legislature to grasp that adolescents badly need adequate sleep.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote yes.
It would limit the profits of kidney dialysis clinics on the spurious grounds someone somewhere needs to force owners to spend more on “direct patient care and health-care improvements.”
A union should not put the lives of sick people at risk to win a labor battle. Vote no on Proposition 8.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote no.
It would throw out a state law that bans rent control on all housing built after Feb. 1, 1995, and that gives landlords the right to raise the rent to a market rate after a tenant moves out.
Adding considerable new housing is ultimately the most constructive, enduring way California can address its housing crisis. It’s the only way. Vote no on Proposition 10.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote no.
It seeks a change in the long-established practice under which they — like police and firefighters — must be on call during their breaks.
Many emergency medical technicians and paramedics are fine with the current practice.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote yes.
It would require that farms give all egg-laying hens at least 1 square foot of usable floor space by the end of next year and that farms be cage-free by the end of 2021.
Proposition 12 has a flaw that is serious enough that some animal welfare groups have split with the measure’s sponsor — the Humane Society — and come out against it.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote no.
Measure A is a San Diego County charter amendment.
Measure A makes minor changes in the county charter to bring county election laws in compliance with state and federal law and to formally recognize that the county Fire Authority answers to the county’s chief administrative officer.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote yes.
Measure B is a San Diego County measure on unincorporated areas.
Measure B tweaks redistricting guidelines to maintain the practice of making sure at least three of the five supervisorial districts include unincorporated areas and two have substantial portions in unincorporated areas. It seems reasonable to ensure that the 500,000-plus county residents who don’t live in cities have someone to represent them.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote yes.
Measure C is a San Diego County measure on pension funds.
Measure C would amend the county charter to prevent the siphoning of funds set aside for future pension costs for other purposes. Given the nightmares that the city of San Diego has faced because of its history of intentionally underfunding pensions, putting up obstacles to such decisions is sensible.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote yes.
Measure D is a San Diego County measure on election consolidation.
Measure D would change the rules to require the two candidates with the most votes in countywide primary elections to face off in general elections rather than let candidates with a majority of the vote win outright in the primary. We supported the same change in city of San Diego elections in 2016 on the grounds that the election with the highest turnout should be the decisive one.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote yes.
Measure E is a San Diego City stadium lease and redevelopment initiative.
A fair and open public process is best for San Diego. The city should lease not sell the land, so we recommend no on Measure E.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote no.
Measure G is a San Diego City stadium sale to San Diego State University.
A fair and open public process is best for San Diego. The city should lease not sell the land, so we recommend no on Measure G.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote no.
Measure H is a San Diego City proposal at the behest of the San Diego Unified that would limit new school board members to three four-year terms beginning with the 2020 election.
This is not what San Diegans want. In a district survey of 1,243 people, 54 percent backed a two-term limit, 23 percent sought a one-term limit and only 12 percent called for a three-term limit.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote no.
Measure J is a San Diego City charter amendment on disclosure of business interests.
Measure J would require individuals and companies that do business with the city to be transparent about the names and positions of those with a significant — more than 10 percent — ownership or interest in deals proposed to the city. This puts teeth into a vague law voters approved in 1992.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote yes.
Measure K is a San Diego City measure on term limits.
Measure K would specify that a City Council member can serve only two four-year terms. As the city’s term-limits law has been interpreted, council members whose district boundaries change can seek a third term. But the clear intent of the law is to limit council members to two terms, regardless of whether their district changes.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote yes.
Measure L is a San Diego City measure on pay raises and reforms for city elected officials.
Measure L would give the mayor and city attorney the same salary as Superior Court judges — currently $200,042 a year — in 2020 and phase in council salaries of 75 percent of judicial pay by 2022. If city leaders think the salary is too low, they should reset the pay at a more acceptable level and forget about perpetual raises. Vote no on Measure L.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote no.
Measure M is a San Diego City charter amendment.
Measure M would make it easier to reappoint city audit committee members by easing charter requirements on how such positions are to be filled.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote yes.
Measure N is a San Diego City measure on police officers' disability benefits.
Measure N would reinstate a disability benefit for police officers who suffer mental health problems because of a violent incident while on the job. From 2000 to 2010, this benefit was available. But because of a change in the City Charter, employee retirement benefits now can only be increased with city voters’ approval.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote yes.
Puts a 5 percent limit on annual rent increases and ban certain types of evictions in National City.
The folly of rent control is plain. Embracing a “solution” that makes a problem worse isn’t just counterproductive. It’s daffy. Vote no on Measure W in National City.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote no.
Measure Y would require that any proposed zone change on land now designated for agriculture or open space go before city voters in Oceanside.
The measure is driven more by NIMBYism than a principled devotion to helping farmers. This is why The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board recommends a no vote on Measure Y.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote no.
Proposition YY would approve $3.5 billion more in bonds for the San Diego Unified School District.
The district is likely to shift even more of the costs of current school district services and needs to future taxpayers. Call this what it is: a petty scam.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board says vote no.
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