Letters

Bonnie is the real LGBT choice for mayor

Dear Editor,

When Bonnie Dumanis offered me a job, I wasn’t sure I wanted it.

I was offered a position at the district attorney’s office after leaving my job as a reporter at NBC San Diego. While I respected the outstanding job Bonnie had done as district attorney, I had serious reservations.

After all, she was a Republican and I was a liberal Democrat. How was that going to work?

Turns out, it works well.

For the past five years, I’ve had the extraordinary honor of serving on Bonnie’s executive team. When I took the job, I quickly learned a lot of things about Bonnie. I learned that Bonnie doesn’t fit neatly into any one box. She’s a Jewish, Republican lesbian who isn’t concerned at all with party labels.

I learned that when faced with tough issues, Bonnie doesn’t flinch. Many times, when making a decision that wasn’t going to be popular, Bonnie would say, “We’re going to do the right thing for the right reasons, and let the chips fall where they may.”

I learned the power of having advisors around you with diverse backgrounds, parties and opinions. Bonnie listens to those opinions and then makes her decision. She truly values everyone’s input and keeps an open mind.

That’s why she has broad support among Democrats, Republicans and Independents.

I’ve also learned a thing or two about integrity, honesty and personal courage from Bonnie. I’ve been at the table when Bonnie has met with the parents of a murdered child and have witnessed her compassion and dedication to justice.

When our community was galvanized in the fight against Prop. 8, Bonnie fought with us. She stepped outside her official role as DA to hold a news conference with her partner and Mayor Sanders, urging a no vote.

Bonnie spoke out for marriage equality many times when Carl DeMaio remained silent on the issue. Bonnie married her longtime partner when Nathan Fletcher was still saying he believed marriage is between a man and a woman and he voted against Harvey Milk Day.

Let’s be honest. We all know the incredibly strong message it would send to the nation just to simply elect San Diego’s first openly-gay mayor. A mayor who is comfortable with herself.

I’ve seen how this works in person. I traveled with Bonnie to Houston and met Mayor Annise Parker. Having a competent, strong, gay mayor conducting the city’s business means we will have an elegant, articulate ambassador for the gay community to everyone who comes into contact with the mayor’s office. Bonnie will be a powerful representative on our behalf – someone we can be proud of.

I understand some may question my motivations for writing this. True, I work for Bonnie and have volunteered on her campaign. But I can assure you I wrote this on my own because I went from being skeptical about Bonnie to being certain about her … and I encourage you to do the same.

I’ve spoken to voters who have the same reservations I did about Bonnie. Maybe you’re a Democrat like me who never voted for a Republican. Maybe you want to elect San Diego’s first gay mayor, but you’re tempted by the good-looking promise of an “independent” voice.

Believe me, Bonnie is the only independent voice who will represent our community with pride and distinction. And she’ll do it regardless of party labels.

STEVE WALKER

Communications Director,

Dumanis for Mayor