REGION: Voters head to polls Tuesday

Eminent domain, party nominations, local props dominate ballot

By GARY WARTH - Staff Writer | Monday, June 2, 2008 10:59 PM PDT ∞

North County voters will head to the polls Tuesday to consider eminent domain and affordable housing, elect judges and county supervisors and select their party's congressional hopefuls.

In city-specific races, Carlsbad will consider a city charter, Encinitas will decide whether to levy a tax on short-term vacation rentals, and Oceanside will be asked to borrow $195 million for school repairs.

A primary with no major race and two state initiatives with lukewarm support are expected to result in a relatively low voter turnout.

"We're not expecting the big voter turnout we got in February," said county Registrar of Voters Deborah Seiler. "We're looking at 30 percent or 40 percent."

California's presidential primary election was held in February.

Eminent domain

Statewide, voters have a choice of two propositions aimed at revising eminent domain, the government's right to seize private property. Both initiatives would continue to allow government to take private property for such public uses as roads and schools, but would limit its right to use the seized property for private use.

Proposition 98, the California Property Owners and Farmland Protection Act, would prohibit governments from exercising the right of eminent domain to seize private property to develop a shopping center, industrial park or other private use.

The initiative also would phase out rent control in California. Residents now living in rent-controlled units would not be affected, but landlords could raise rent on the units once the tenants move out.

Marko Mlikotin, a spokesman for Prop. 98, said the rent-control provision is related to eminent domain because both are about private property rights.

Just as property owners should have the right to decide whether to sell their property, they also should have the right to set the rent, Mlikotin said.

Proposition 99 does not affect rent control and affects eminent domain less than Prop. 98. Rather than prohibiting governments from seizing any private property for public use, Prop. 99, the Homeowners Protections Act, prohibits governments from seizing only owner-occupied residences. Governments still could take apartments, commercial property or rental homes.

Critics of Prop. 98 have called the initiative a Trojan horse, with the elimination of rent control its real objective. The initiative is largely funded by owners of mobile-home parks and apartments who stand to benefit from the elimination of rent control.

Critics of Prop. 99 call the initiative a sham that offers no real reform and allows cities to retain most of their power over property owners. The initiative is backed by the League of California Cities and the California Redevelopment Association.

If both propositions pass, the one with more votes would become law. A recent voter poll, however, showed neither proposition with the 50 percent support needed to pass.

The nonpartisan Field Poll on Thursday released a survey that showed Prop. 98 with support from 33 percent of likely voters. Another 43 percent were opposed to the initiative and 24 percent were undecided.

Prop. 99 has a better chance of passing, with support from 48 percent of likely voters. Another 30 percent were opposed and 22 percent were undecided.

Congressional races

Voters generally will find few choices in congressional races in the county, as most incumbents and challengers are the sole candidates in their parties.

Voters can pick only candidates from their party during the primary, and winners from each party will face off in the November general election.

In the 49th Congressional District, which includes Oceanside, Vista, Fallbrook and Temecula, incumbent U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa is the only Republican in the race. Democrat Robert Hamilton, a retired businessman from Fallbrook, and Libertarian mortgage banker Lars Grossmith of Vista also are on the 49th District ballot.

In the 50th Congressional District, which covers Escondido, San Marcos, Carlsbad, Encinitas and Solana Beach, incumbent Brian Bilbray is the only Republican seeking the two-year seat.

In one of the county's contested congressional races, two Democrats, school psychologist Cheryl Ede of Pacific Beach and attorney Nick Leibham of Rancho Santa Fe, are competing in the 50th District primary. Also on the ballot is Libertarian Wayne Dunlap, a Del Mar business owner.

In the race for the 52nd Congressional District, which includes Poway and Ramona, 31-year-old Marine Corps Reserve Capt. Duncan D. Hunter hopes to replace his father in Washington.

He faces a packed field that includes three fellow Republicans: Santee City Councilman Brian Jones, retired federal agent Rick Powell of Ramona and county Board of Education President Bob Watkins of Alpine.

Democrats competing for the 52nd District nomination are Vickie Butcher, an educator from La Mesa, and Mike Lumpkin, a retired Navy SEAL from Jamul.

The 48th Congressional District represented by Democrat Bob Filner covers Imperial County, San Diego's South Bay and parts of the city of San Diego north of National City. Although the district is almost an hour's drive from North County, Oceanside mortgage banker Dan Felzer is on the ballot. Congressional candidates do not have to live in the district they hope to represent.

Felzer, who has never run for office before, said he entered the race because the Republican Party wanted someone to challenge Filner. Spring Valley business owner David Lee Joy also is seeking his party's nod in the race.

Democrat Danny Ramirez of Calexico is challenging Filner in the primary, and Libertarian Dan "Frodo" Litwin of San Diego also is on the ballot.

Assembly and Senate

San Diego County has primary races in nine state Senate districts, including three in North County. None of the local races are contested.

In the 66th Assembly District, which includes Bonsall, Fallbrook, Rainbow and most of Valley Center, Republican Kevin Jeffries of Lake Elsinore is running for re-election. Democrat Grey Frandsen of Temecula also is on the primary ballot.

In the 73rd Assembly District, which includes Escondido, San Marcos, Vista, Carlsbad, Solana Beach, Encinitas and Del Mar, several candidates hope to replace Republican Assemblywoman Mimi Walters, who is running for the Senate.

Dana Point Councilwoman Diane Harkey and San Clemente attorney Mark Patlan are competing to be the Republican nominee.

Also on the ballot are Libertarian business owner Andy Favor of Laguna Niguel and Democratic business owner and educator Judy Jones of San Clemente.

In the 74th Assembly District, which includes Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Escondido, Oceanside, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Solana Beach and Vista, incumbent Martin Garrick of Solana Beach is running as the only Republican. Also on the ballot are Libertarian Paul King of Carlsbad and Democrat Brett Maxfield of Encinitas.

In the 75th Assembly District, Republican Nathan Fletcher of San Diego, Democrat Darren Kasai of Rancho Santa Fe and Libertarian John Murphy of La Jolla hope to replace Republican Assemblyman George Plescia, leaving after his third and final two-year term. The district includes Sorrento Valley, Carmel Valley, Fairbanks Ranch, Rancho Penasquitos, Poway and Rancho Bernardo.

County, judge races

Voters in two county districts will elect representatives to the Board of Supervisors.

In District Two, incumbent Dianne Jacob will face challenger Rudy Reyes, an educator and archaeologist from Santee. The district includes Poway, Ramona, Santa Ysabel and much of East county.

In District Three, incumbent Pam Slater-Price will face challenger John Van Doorn, an Encinitas engineer and consultant. The district includes Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, Sabre Springs, Carmel Valley, Del Mar, Solana Beach and Encinitas.

On the county Board of Education, voters will select representatives in Districts One, Two and Four. Of those, District Four is in North County, covering Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, San Pasqual, Ramona and Poway. Voters will chose from community college instructor Mark Anderson of San Diego, businessman Chuck Taylor of Alpine or teacher and businesswoman Rose Urdahl of Alpine.

Voters will decide three elections for Superior Court judges Tuesday. In one race, Superior Court Commissioner Garry Haehnle is running against chief police attorney Paul Cooper. In another race, Deputy District Attorney Evan Kirvin is running against sheriff's chief attorney Robert Faigin.

In the third race, Deputy District Attorney Blaine Bowman is running unopposed.

San Diego

In the city of San Diego, which includes parts of coastal North County, Rancho Penasquitos and Rancho Bernardo, residents will vote for mayor, city attorney and City Council members.

Mayor Jerry Sanders is running for re-election against Eric Bidwell, Steve Francis, James Hart and Floyd Morrow.

City Attorney Michael Aguirre is running against challengers Amy Lepine, Superior Court Judge Jan Goldsmith and San Diego City Council members Scott Peters and Brian Maienschein.

In San Diego City Council District One, which includes Rancho Penasquitos, Black Mountain Ranch and Carmel Valley, residents will select a representative to replace Scott Peters. Contenders are La Jolla business owner Sherri Lightner, Encinitas security business owner Marshall Merrifield or business owner Philip Thalheimer of San Diego.

In District Five, which includes Carmel Mountain Ranch, Rancho Bernardo and Sabre Springs, voters will select a replacement for Rep. Brian Maienschein. Voters are choosing between Encinitas resident Carl De Maio, president of Government Watchdog Organization, and Escondido resident and business owner George George.

San Diego voters also will consider three propositions to amend the city charter.

Proposition A would prohibit the city from contracting out its core safety services, such as police and firefighters. Proposition B would make the city's strong-mayor form of government permanent. Proposition C would create the new office of city auditor to oversee financial issues.

Contact staff writer Gary Warth at (760) 740-5410 or gwarth@nctimes.com.