State Senate Seat Representing Coronado Debated in the Winn Room

Republican or Democrat, your State Senate Seat is up for election this Fall, 2016.

The Coronado Democratic Club, under the leadership of the Club’s president, Ron Mandelbaum, hosted a debate in the Coronado Library’s Winn Room on Saturday, January 23.

Both Marty Block and Toni Atkins currently represent our interests in Sacramento. Marty Block is our current State Senator, who represents Coronado, as we are in the 39th State Senate District. (See Map #1)

Running against Mr. Block is Toni Atkins. Ms. Atkins currently is the Speaker of the Assembly in Sacramento and represents Coronado, as we are part of the 78th State Assembly District. (See Map #2)

There are two other big races that impact Coronado taking place in 2016

To clarify the above-mentioned State Senate race from the other two important races we will be seeing this year, some clarification may be helpful.

One of the other races will be for the congressperson who will represent our interests in the U.S. Congress. Coronado falls into the 52nd Congressional District (See Map #3). Currently representing Coronado in Washington D.C. is U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (D).  This 52nd District Congressional seat will be challenged this year by Republican Jacquie Atkinson.

The second race, that will no doubt make national headlines, is the U.S. Senate Seat that includes, of course, Coronado. Currently representing all of California in the U.S. Senate are Dianne Feinstein (D) and Barbara Boxer (D). Ms. Boxer’s seat will not be running for re-election this year. There is a slate of Republicans and Democrats who will be vying for this seat.

Both the Congressional seat in our district and our U.S. Senate seat election will be interesting races to follow, but these were not the topic of this debate at the Coronado Democratic Club meeting.

Back to the election of the State Senate Race 

As noted above, Saturday morning, the Coronado Democratic Club hosted a debate between Marty Block and Toni Atkins in the Winn Room of the Coronado Library. No Republican is vying for this seat.

The debate was very well organized and well attended.

There was some controversy in this debate as well as much room for common ground.  Most Democrats present in the room believe both Mr. Block and Ms. Atkins serve their San Diego Districts well.  During the debate there wasn’t much difference between their views, as moderator, Political Science Professor and frequent KPBS commentator, Carl Luna, pointed out. Indeed, it was clear that both politicians had no interest in mudslinging because they did not feel any need to do so.

The controversy comes from the fact that Ms. Atkins is challenging one of her own, who is already respected and well liked by his constituents. Some in the Democratic Party feel this is a waste of time and resources.  Others in the Democratic Party believe that competition and the search for the best leader represents what is best about republican government.

Given that back drop, the candidates moved on to specific questions.

Water conservation was the first question presented to the debaters. Both acknowledged climate change, study trips to Israel to observe desalination efforts, and the new Carlsbad desalination facility.

The accident zones and noise zones over the Hotel del Coronado and other parts of Coronado created a passionate discussion. While both candidates supported the military, they also felt there could be room for a discussion of residents’ living experience.  Ms. Atkins pointed out that on this issue, both she and Mr. Block supported an inclusion of Coronado residents housing issues, but that it was difficult for politicians, outside of our area, to vote in even a small way that would inhibit the U.S. Military’s priorities. Mr. Block authored SB 758, with the hopes of it providing more residential control. More about this issue and SB 758 can be found in this Union-Tribune article.

Ms. Atkins supported the spirit of the SB 758, but wasn’t convinced that it was constitutional or that there weren’t better ways of handling this issue.  She did point out that the issue still falls under the leadership and direction of the Airport Authority and progress for residents can be made in a non-legislative manner.

Educational issues were next brought to the forefront.  Free community college, the creation of more four year degrees in the community colleges, and the feasibility of a South Bay California State College were discussed.

It was acknowledged during the debate that the Democrats do not have a contender that could beat Republican Kevin Falconer as the mayor of San Diego.

Narrowing their focus to specific local issues, Ms. Atkins addressed the issue of traffic on 3rd and 4th Street and both candidates brought up ways for Coronado Small Businesses to achieve more capitalization so that they would have more opportunities for growth.

After the debate, the Coronado Democratic Club voted to endorse Mr. Block.

While the votes were being tallied, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters addressed the audience and took questions from his constituents. Mr. Peters discussed his support for background checks for guns, specifically closing loopholes that are made available at gun shows and online purchases.   He noted that 60% of NRA members support the closing of this loophole and that 90% of the general population supports the closing of these loopholes.

He explained his support for two-year budget deals, rather than just one.  He also discussed, to the rapt interest of the audience, NATO soldiers’ use of solar power and the Navy’s use of biofuel power. An interesting USNews and World Report article explains the Navy’s carrier strike group that is partially powered by biofuel.

After snacks and socializing, the productive meeting was adjourned by Coronado Democratic Club Vice-President, Jim Rosania.