City Council race heats up
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – One of the most important elections for a city council seat is only 53 days away. It’s the race for the 6th City Council District.
The result of the election could cost the mayor’s agenda by giving Democrats a super majority on the council.
One thing is for sure, and that is that the first Asian-Pacific Islander in more than 50 years will take a seat on the council.
Mayor Faulconer could see his agenda in jeopardy if Chris Cate loses the election to Carol Kim, which would give Democrats a super majority.
“It’s gonna be an incredibly important race for the city, for the future of San Diego. It’s one of the reasons I’m so strongly supportive of Chris Cate,” said Mayor Faulconer.
Jerry Sanders, the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce says he will do whatever it takes to get Chris Cate elected.
Both Cate and Kim have the same top priorities, public safety, infrastructure, neighborhood services, and jobs.
Kim is new to politics, Cate is steeped in it.
“I’ve been, ah, worked at city hall, worked for the taxpayers association, and we know how to get things done, and what the community wants, and to make sure we’re a voice for them at city hall,” said Cate.
Carol Kim worked as a teacher, and for a non-profit evaluating public programs for accountability and transparency.
“I’d love to be able to do that in city hall, create more accountability, more transparency on how our money is being spent, what it’s being spent on, and whether we are actually getting the services and goods that we are paying for,” said Kim.
The district stretches from Kearny Mesa to the southern end of Penasquitos, including Mira Mesa, Miramar, and Clairemont Mesa.
Politically, it’s a third Republican, a third Democrat, and a third decline to state.
The public is not engaged in the election just yet, including the Asian-Pacific Islanders who make up a third of the district.
With regards to one political party in total control of the city council, Cate said, “There are some major policy differences we disagree on but for the most part we’re there to work together on behalf of residents and get things done, and that’s why we need balance on the council.”
The balance to Kim is having a Democrat council and a Republican mayor.
“I think the super majority is over blown sometimes in the sense that folks sort of assume that because a 6 council members of the same political party, they’re all going to vote together constantly. That’s just not the case,” said Kim.
The district has 141,000 residents. While Asians have the lowest percentage of registered voters and low turnout, it could change this fall since they are assured to have an Asian seat, and their voice heard on the city council.
