City Council, District 2: CAROLYN CHASE
San Diego's progressive community is suffering in this race from one of its most typical diseases: the inability to agree on a single strong candidate to challenge the consensus candidate of the Republican establishment, Kevin Faulconer. At least three other people on the ballot – Kathleen Blavatt, Lorena Gonzalez and Rich Grosch – have the qualities to be an effective, progressive Councilmember.
But we're going with Carolyn Chase because, like her or not, she's done more to promote environmental issues and causes than virtually anyone else in San Diego except Donna Frye. She's an aggressive leader – something we need more of in San Diego politics, not less – but she's also shown an ability to negotiate with developers and help service San Diego's growing population in ways that mitigate the environmental damage of new construction projects. That's a skill that's going to be valuable on the City Council, especially one serving during a period of financial crisis in which the other Councilmembers will be sorely tempted to let any development through if it promises to bring in tax revenue. More than any of her rivals, Chase has both the skill and the cunning to make sure San Diego doesn't give away the environmental store for quick money to plug its financial holes.
