PICKING A LEADER I WILL DO THE TOUGH THING, NOT THE POPULAR THING
The race to be the next San Diego City Council president typically occurs behind the scenes, but Councilmembers Jennifer Campbell and Monica Montgomery Steppe are waging this year’s race in public. Both hope their colleagues grant them the power of setting meeting agendas and the prestige of the title on Dec. 10. Below, they make their cases.
Although every 2020 local election has already been decided, there is still one more to be held this year: the election by San Diego councilmembers for the next City Council president. I announced my candidacy for this role with a lot of humility, excitement and a great deal of respect for the process, knowing it is part of our responsibility. I also trust the judgment of each of the councilmembers who will be making this decision.
I am doing this because I know I possess the qualities and characteristics that our City Council president needs to have. Being able to stay calm in the midst of chaos is a trait I practiced well as a physician and is definitely something I’ve incorporated into my approach as a councilmember, along with compassion, intelligence, common sense and a cooperative spirit.
Working well with other councilmembers — and with all the elements that allow our city and county governments to function — is also essential to this role. This means being able to work well with sectors such as labor, military, industrial, nonprofit, business and tourism, something I’ve prioritized throughout my term.
That being said, my entire vision as council president is predicated on making sure that representatives of each of our nine council districts can succeed at improving their communities while advancing the goals of our city at the same time. From my first day on the job, productive collaboration has been key to making progress with my council colleagues. I know when to put the needs of the many above the needs of the few, and I believe that is a needed characteristic for our next council president to have in order to make the most impact. Listening to the variety of viewpoints on issues, knowing the history of the problem at hand and gathering all the facts are crucial to San Diego’s future success.
Being council president also requires a willingness to do the tough thing, not the overwhelmingly popular thing. I brought forward Measure E, which will create new housing and job opportunities in the often forgotten Midway-Sports Arena neighborhood. The measure was approved by nearly 57 percent of San Diego voters who agreed that the Midway community deserves better. This was the right decision for San Diego’s present and future, despite vocal hostility. It will revitalize a forgotten San Diego neighborhood and create many positives including jobs, parks and commercial spaces for future generations — including the children and grandchildren of those who opposed it. This kind of leadership can serve as an example of how we can improve all of our neighborhoods by working together.
This position also requires a collaborative relationship with our new mayor, Todd Gloria, who has been an excellent representative of San Diego in his various official capacities for many years and is someone for whom I have great respect. I believe strongly in his vision for our city — a vision of equality and progress that works for all San Diegans — and I know that working together, we can help move our great city forward.
We will be facing many challenges in the coming year, which include overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic, restoring our economy, continuing our plan to end homelessness, fighting climate change, further reforming our systems to end racism and providing increased housing — all while keeping San Diego’s uniqueness intact. This will all be happening in the shadow of a budget deficit that our city will have to work through as we try to determine the best way to provide the services our residents need.
I’ve worked hard my entire term to find common ground across the spectrum of interests that make up our city and region. I have no desire to go to Sacramento or Washington. My only plan is to work hard, every day, with collaboration and teamwork, to make San Diego a better place. This is the kind of leadership that San Diego needs, a council president who sees what’s possible and makes decisions based on what’s best for San Diego, with a focus on the present and with an eye on the future. That is why I’m running for council president. I have taken on many of the biggest challenges we face and am ready
to do more.
I will make sure councilmembers can succeed at improving their communities while advancing the goals of our city at the same time.
Campbell