California Assembly District 78 is one of the most diverse districts in the state. This essentially coastal district stretches all the way from Solana Beach to the Mexican border. When the district hits the 8 it expands east taking in Old Town, North and South Park, Hillcrest and Kensington and up to College. Currently held by the ever popular Toni Atkins, who is timed out in 2016, the district is being contested by two candidates – San Diego Councilman Todd Gloria and Republican Kevin Melton. Gloria has been endorsed by Atkins and is clearly the favorite over Melton who ran unsuccessfully for the same seat in 2014.
Melton is a native of the Los Angeles area who ran for Los Angeles City Council in 2003 and again in 2007. Melton moved to San Diego in 2008 living in Pt. Loma and now currently downtown. He recently worked on the campaign finance committee to elect Kevin Faulconer as mayor.
He is involved in his 40+ year family real estate investment business in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas.
San Diego LGBT Weekly talked with Kevin Melton to understand his motivation for running for District 78 and how he thinks he is going to overturn LGBT favorite Gloria.
San Diego LGBT Weekly: Kevin, you have chosen a pretty tough race. In 2014, in the same district, you polled 11.6 percent of the vote in the primary. Your opponent Todd Gloria has been endorsed by Toni Atkins, and as a former San Diego City Council president and current councilmember has big name recognition. How are you going to do this?
Kevin Melton: My opponent only has name recognition in San Diego. He is now dealing with four other cities with their own mayor and council. If you go out of the immediate area I have found most residents do not even know who he is. As far as council president he was ousted by his own Democratic Party, which should give you some idea about his performance. He has been endorsed by Toni Atkins who bullied Marty Block – need I say anything else. I have the endorsement of the Log Cabin Republicans and the San Diego Republican Party and a host of high profile elected officials from all the five cities in my district. Also note this district has 70k Republicans, 80k Democrats and 75k Independents. The Independents will decide this race and they are fiscally conservative and socially moderate – that’s why I will win.
You state that you are running for the California State Assembly because “… it is time to bring honesty and integrity to Sacramento.” Specifically who and what are you referring in that statement?
I am talking about transparency. I am referring to all political people in Sacramento.
I am talking about when we send our hard-earned tax money to Sacramento for a specific task. That money should be used for that specific task to be carried out and not diverted to something else. If it’s to go to the classrooms for books – buy books, not pave a road.
One of your platforms is lowering taxes for both individuals and businesses. California’s debt is nearly $400 billion, so why would you propose tax cuts at this time?
When I refer to tax cuts I am talking about temporary taxes that get caught in the system and are never rescinded. For example Proposition 30 has an October expiration date and now there is a push to extend it.
District 78 is very diverse. How will you be an assemblymember for all the people?
I am an African American gentlemen; I know diversity. I have lived in South Central L.A., Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, Point Loma and downtown San Diego. If anyone understands diversity it’s me. I know the needs of all these communities because I have lived it. The 78th Assembly District has all of these types of communities.
The Republican platform on LGBT rights is not a good one, as can be seen in the Republican presidential race. Why should a member of the LGBT community vote for you?
This is California; this is not the rest of the nation. We have a very diverse population and I believe in the rights of all people.
If elected, you have pledged to give $50,000 of your salary for use in classrooms in the district. Can you elaborate on that pledge?
There is no hidden meaning in this pledge. I will seek out the schools in my district, find out their needs and donate my own money to help. I believe in putting my money where my mouth is.
Finally, in a few words why should District 78 voters vote for you?
I say what I do, and I do what I say.
