Strategy and campaigning has already started for the 2016 elections. Locally, rumors continue that our beloved and super-popular Congresswoman Susan Davis may not seek re-election and if she decides to retire the top two names being mentioned are Todd Gloria and Toni Atkins, who will both be termed out of office in 2016.
Republicans have begun looking again to take on Scott Peters with moderates in the mold of Brian Maienschein or Dan McAllister type of Republicans.
Those rumored to be looking at replacing Toni Atkins in the State Assembly are former decorated Marine captain and Lincoln Club member Jacque Atkinson and possibly Councilman Ed Harris, Sarah Boot, Laurie Coskey and Susan Guinn; but the decks may clear if Todd Gloria decides to run.
Mayor Kevin Faulconer will also be up for re-election and his popularity and support continues to soar. But if it falters look for Gloria and Atkins to give it some serious thought.
County Supervisor Dave Roberts has earned himself a very respected and admired reputation as a moderate and progressive and will have token opposition in 2016, in any.
Supervisor Greg Cox is also running for re-election and will be hard to beat.
In 2016 we will get a new City attorney with Rafael Castellanos and Gil Cabrera going for it as well as Paul Cooper.
Chris Ward has become the clear frontrunner to replace Todd Gloria in District Three. Word is Tom Shepard will be Ward’s top consultant. Chris Ward has already gotten the endorsement of almost every GLBT business person and leader who, unlike last time, look like are all uniting behind one gay candidate.
Council Aide Anthony Bernal seems to be playing catch-up behind Ward’s strong and organized campaign. Interestingly, Todd Gloria tells me he might end up endorsing a successor.
I attended the annual Border Angels dinner at the Barrio Station and many Latino leaders were expressing how the Ninth Council District was supposed to be a Latino seat, but Councilwoman Marti Emerald may run again, and some are hoping a strong Latino candidate will emerge.
In District Five, popular, smart and handsome Mark Kersey should have no problem getting re-elected.
Now District One will be a real battle with Ray Ellis considered an early frontrunner, but others who may be looking at it are Joe LaCava and Barbara Bry.
In District Seven, Councilman Scott Sherman could be facing strong candidates like veteran JustinDeCesare, Anthony Wagner and even possibly Kevin Beiser.
2016 will be a presidential election (I am supporting Hillary Clinton) and a marijuana legalization effort is on the state ballot.
As for the recent 2014 election I am proud to have supported our new Filipino Councilman Chris Cate and would support Carl DeMaio again in a heartbeat.
It will be 2015 in about 50 days, so let the political games begin!
GLBT community helps with Thanksgiving projects
For decades the GLBT community, businesses, bars and organizations have helped with the Imperial Court’s annual Thanksgiving projects of providing meals and food.
Once again, the Imperial Court and community volunteers will be hosting the 29th annual Scott Carlson Community Thanksgiving Dinner at The Center, also providing meals to the HIV/AIDS patients in the hospital, providing Thanksgiving dinner for 19 families of Florence Elementary School, dropping meals at a local fire station and providing food for Being Alive, Family Matters and Christie’s Place clients. All this cannot happen without the generosity of our giving GLBT community, friends and allies.
We still need donations, turkeys, hams, food, grocery cards, checks etc. For more information phone 619-692-1967 or 619-501-6793. Thank you very much.
Nicole Murray Ramirez has been an award-winning columnist since 1973, and a Latino and gay activist for more than 45 years. He is currently a city commissioner and has served the last seven mayors of San Diego. Nicolemrsandiego@aol.com
No mention from Nicole of Carl DeMaio and his Victory Lap and trip to DC ?
What a short memory.
‘As for the recent 2014 election I am proud to have supported our new Filipino Councilman Chris Cate and would support Carl DeMaio again in a heartbeat.”
So the unelected “Mayor of Hillcrest” remains a right-wing Republican.
Guess we know who is paying for meals and travel expenses again…..
No moral compass and no sense of political issues of significance. Just a sycophant in the worst way.
NO! Not from you. Not ever again. Nicole now has less than zero credibility. Mayor of nothing!
The “rumored” candidates must be dreading the cursed endorsement of Nicole
Nicole is so much more interesting when he is dishing out gossip and dirt about the bar scene. He is simply over his head when it comes to politics. Nicole, please get back to what you do best and get into a nasty fight with another tired queen.
I usually read this column for pure entertainment value. As many have said over and over and over again, “Nicole does not represent me.” The entertainment value of this column has long since waned. Instead of being laughable, it has become tragic and a bit scary. These days Nicole reminds me of a post-stroke Bette Davis still making public appearances. It’s a little too late to exit with any sort of dignity. Someone needs to yank her off the stage. Please let’s move on.
J. Hale, the ultimate Narcissist, wrote: “One of the hardest things for me in this election is that not one single leader of any LGBT organization that Carl and I have contributed to over the years has picked up the phone to call us with condolences. ”
Hale’s self-centered World View is so simple: “Carl and I are Gay, we gave you money, we are therefore entitled to your political support, we lost, so come cry for us.”
What a pile of CRAP.
You were never entitled to anyone’s support. Your political Party opposes full and equal rights and legal protections for the LGBT Community. Carl personally opposes an increase in minimum wages for the hard working poor. He opposes Barrio Logan residents in their fight to have control over their own community planning process. He thinks the “gay social agenda” is not of his concern as a politician.
Carl LOST. Go cry in your own closets quietly. You are not entitled to any condolences, We are delighted you lost. You deserved that loss.