On behalf of the entire campaign team, I want to express how grateful we are for your help this year- especially after being outspent ten-to-one by our competition!
While the election results are not what we had hoped for, and I will not advance to the November election, the organizing and outreach work you made possible will continue: We are exploring ways to support other progressive candidates and programs, and working on local campaign finance reform.
By being part of this City Council campaign, you helped create a coalition of thousands of San Diegans who volunteered, contributed time and money, displayed hundreds of yard signs, and cast votes for Progressive values in District 2 and elsewhere.
We focussed on important issues:
Homelessness and Affordable Housing
Climate change, clean energy, and the nation's highest utility rates
Wasteful backroom development deals
But one of the most troubling issues to emerge in this election cycle was the lack of transparency, ethics, and oversight in local campaign fund reporting.
This primary battle revealed a seriously broken campaign finance system. It allowed the incumbent's supporters- who were fearful of losing to me in November- to pay for a mailer to attack me, and also promote the Republican in the race!
That's right: Jen Campbell's team supported a Republican with "Dark Money," knowing she has a better chance to win by facing a Linda Lukacs in November- rather than competing a Progressive Democrat with legislative experience.
Here's how recent news articles reported this information:
This news actually made me even more grateful for your generous support.
With your encouragement and contributions we were able to:
-Walk to hundreds of homes
- Call and text thousands of voters
- Develop a strong, transparent progressive organization
Thank you for contributing in so many ways!
I invite you to follow and support our work to elect Progressives in November. We will focus on campaign finance reform, transparency, and stronger enforcement of California's Fair Political Practice Commission's (FPPC) laws and policies at the local level.
Again: Many thanks for your help and- most importantly- your faith is grassroots campaigns using Clean Money to create a more progressive San Diego!
Sincerely,
Endorsements
Chris Brewster
Retired lifegaurd chief
“Lori has been a consistent listener and an active supporter of the real day-to-day concerns of the district 2 community. When others aligned with special interests, she put the community first. That’s the change we need.”
Delaine Eastin
Former California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
"With great enthusiasm, I endorse Lori Saldana to be a member of the San Diego City Council. Lori has a well-deserved reputation as a public servant who served in our legislature with great distinction. She is affable, hard-working, intelligent, and has a brass backbone. Lori is well respected for her direct, honest, and creative problem-solving. She gets along well with colleagues and does not flag when it comes to hard work and tenacity. Lori will make an excellent addition to your city council as she fights for fairness, justice, safe neighborhoods, and great family values for all families."
Lori will "understand a depth and breadth of city issues... [and is] even more experienced in government than Campbell — Saldaña spent six years in the Assembly." - San Diego Union-Tribune
Michael McConnell
Homeless Advocate
"As unsheltered people are dying on our streets in record numbers, and the entire community is suffering from a lack of leadership at City Hall, I support Lori because she's been an advocate for those in need- but more importantly, because she's ready to act and change the status quo."
Darwin Fishman, Ph.D.
Past lecturer in Sociology and Africana Studies at San Diego State University (for identification purposes only)
Member of the Racial Justice Coaltion of San Diego
"I support Lori Saldaña’s campaign for District 2 supervisor because of her commitment to social justice and her history of bold and smart leadership for the most important issues facing our generation."
