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By Miriam Raftery
October 11, 2020 (La Mesa – El Cajon) – Republican Jim Stieringer, who is running for the Grossmont Union High School District’s Area 2 seat, has sent a deceptive mailer to some voters in La Mesa, El Cajon, Mt. Helix and Casa de Oro. It reads, “East County Voters – Let’s support our progressive team!” The flyer includes photos of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, as well as Democratic Congressional candidates Ammar Campa-Najjar and Sara Jacobs, Democratic Assemblymember Shirley Weber, and Stieringer.
There are three candidates in the race. Although this is officially a nonpartisan race and party affiliations do not appear on the ballot, both major parties have made endorsements. Elva Salinas, the incumbent and a community college professor, is the only candidate endorsed by the Democratic Party as well as the teacher’s union. The other two candidates, Stieringer and Justin Slagle, have both been long-serving Republicans but only Slagle is endorsed by the GOP.
Stieringer also refers to himself as the “high school district’s newest member” on the flip side of the mailer. He fails to mention that he lost reelection as a GUHSD trustee to Salinas in 2016 when the district shifted from at-large elections to trustee districts.
Area 2 includes a substantially higher Democratic registration than the district at large. Stieringer is a familiar name to many, since he previously served on the Grossmont Healthcare District board and the La Mesa City Council. The mailer states that was paid for by the James Stieringer for School Board 2020 campaign.
Slagle was formerly a trustee on the Cajon Valley Union School District board, which has had numerous controversies. He teaches in the Del Mar school district, according to his bio and the district website. He is also an award-winning theater instructor at Tri-City Christian school in Vista, according to the school district's website.
You can read more about the candidates here: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/grossmont-union-high-school-trustee-election-area-2
Comments
Stieringer comments on mailer.
Jim Stieringer sent an email including these comments regarding his mailer:
1. I have never claimed to be a Democrat
2. My political ads comply fully with the requirements of the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) by clearly showing my identification number and the fact that they are paid by my campaign.
3. I do not claim an endorsement by any political party. In fact the San Diego Republican Party chose another candidate for their endorsement.
4. My reference to “…Board’s newest member” is clearly presented in the subjunctive sense, i.e. that if elected I will be the board’s newest member.
I take pride in my independence. The San Diego Republican party chose to endorse another candidate. They probably realize that my views on core issues such as “Obamacare” and “Dreamers” do not coincide with the party’s stance.
With regard to the “Dreamers”, most of whom are Latino, I have worked with and worked for Latinos for many years. I have found that their work ethic far exceeds most Anglos’ willingness to work, including my own work ethic. The nation would be improved if they were provided an opportunity to travel a pathway to citizenship. The tone deaf Republicans are missing an opportunity.
Similarly I find that the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) is now the law of the land and is working reasonably well now that the “individual mandate” was essentially removed. After eight years it is well “baked in” to the fabric of Americans’ lives. Further the Republicans have never proffered an acceptable substitute for the ACA although the President says it is “coming next week” (This is similar to waiting for Godot.).
California Republicans setting up fake 'official' ballot boxes
Karma is a bitch, isn't it?
foul mouthed sock puppet without courage
Foul mouthed?
Yes
I see....
I hope so
Irrelevant.