Endorsements : S.D. Mayor : The Times Endorses Susan Golding

San Diego County Supervisor Susan Golding is a pragmatic, moderate politician who can get things done. The in-your-face style of her opponent, managed-growth advocate Peter Navarro, is appealing in a city that has lacked leadership in recent years. But his acerbic approach could easily destabilize city government to the point of chaos. We prefer Golding’s style of consensus-building.

49th Congress: The Times Endorses Lynn Schenk

In two decades of community service, attorney Lynn Schenk, a Democrat, has doubled as an “insider” and an agent of change. She established the first women-owned bank in the state, and, while serving in the Cabinet of then-Gov. Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown, she brought $257 million in freeway and mass transit funds to San Diego. Her Republican opponent, Tierrasanta nurse Judy Jarvis, has no previous political involvement and is vague on many issues. We look forward to Schenk becoming San Diego County’s first congress woman.

50th Congress: The Times Endorses Bob Filner

San Diego City Councilman Bob Filner, a Democrat, has a sharp intellect and aggressive nature that will be a welcome addition to a congressional delegation that needs new energy. Desperate to make a mark in this heavily Democratic district, his Republican opponent, Tony Valencia, has waged a negative campaign with anti-Semitic overtones. Filner outshines him on every level.

39th Senate: The Times Endorses Lucy Killea

State Sen. Lucy Killea has been in the vanguard of governmental reform since switching from Democrat to independent in mid-term. That tenacious activism is preferable to the style of Republican Jim Ellis, who retired from the Senate just a few years ago because he was burned out on government service. Ellis says his expertise will be needed again once Proposition 140’s term limits take hold. But voters didn’t impose term limits to resurrect the careers of retired politicians.

75th Assembly: The Times Endorses Jan Goldsmith

Poway Mayor Jan Goldsmith, a Republican, is a proven consensus builder with an expertise in transportation policy, an issue particularly important in a district that includes the congested Interstate 15 corridor. Goldsmith is a far better fit for this lopsidedly Republican district than his Democratic opponent, Dante Cosentino, a high school teacher and political novice.

76th Assembly: The Times Endorses Mike Gotch

Assemblyman Mike Gotch, a Democrat, has an impressive record in only two years in office, particularly on family issues and recycling. Lacking any real issues, Republican Dick Daleke, a retired Navy captain financed largely by the Christian fundamentalists, has attempted to paint Gotch, a moderate, as a stooge of Assembly Speaker Willie Brown. That shouldn’t sway the voters in this independent-minded district.

78th Assembly: The Times Endorses Dede Alpert

Assemblywoman Dede Alpert, a Democrat, has authored legislation outlawing possession of a key ingredient to methamphetamine and requiring day care providers to learn CPR. She and Republican Jeff Marston differ little on many key issues, so Marston, too, is trying to play the Willie Brown card. Voters shouldn’t fall for that partisan ploy.

Board of Supervisors District 2: The Times Endorses Dianne Jacob

Dianne Jacob has a unique understanding of county government after serving seven years in the office of outgoing Supervisor George Bailey. That gives her the edge over Santee Mayor Jack Doyle. Jacob has used that knowledge to produce a detailed proposal that could save the cash-strapped county $100 million without gutting services.

Board of Supervisors District 3: The Times Endorses Judy McCarty

San Diego City Councilwoman Judy McCarty’s pragmatic approach to problem solving will be an asset to a county government that is in danger of losing the trust of the people. That gives her the edge over Encinitas City Councilwoman Pam Slater, whose staunch opposition to trash-to-energy technology could slow efforts to finally site a new North County landfill.

Prop. A: The Times Recommends a NO vote

This measure is the latest attempt to increase the sales tax to fund the criminal justice system. A recession is a particularly bad time to ask voters to let government back into their pockets--particularly when the measure has no sunset clause.

Prop. B: The Times Recommends a NO vote

This measure would amend the County Charter to require that any future amendments spell out exactly how they will be funded. Facing up to the fiscal fallout of ballot propositions is good policy--but amending the County Charter to do it is overkill.

Prop. C: The Times Recommends a NO vote

This measure would force the Board of Supervisors to virtually double the number of deputy sheriffs patrolling unincorporated areas. During this economic crisis, the county needs full flexibility in budget negotiations, not a fiscal straitjacket.

Endorsement Policy-- Times policy is not to endorse in every race, but to express our preferences selectively.