Joel Anderson, former State Assemblyman and State Senator, has officially announced his candidacy for the District 2 seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in the 2020 election.
Anderson, a Republican, recently made the announcement at a meeting of enthusiastic supporters at a Gillespie Field airport hanger in El Cajon.
Anderson, a longtime Alpine resident, previously served on a statewide level in the California State Assembly (2006-2010) and the California State Senate (2010-2018). He is known as an advocate for small business and a fiscal conservative.
The Second Supervisorial District, the largest of the county’s five districts, features more than 2,000 square miles and more than 50 communities and cities with more than 620,000 East County residents of the unincorporated communities of Lakeside, Alpine, Ramona and Julian along with the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Santee and Poway, as well as the city of San Diego communities of Allied Gardens, College Area, Del Cerro, Grantville, Navajo, Rolando and San Carlos.
Anderson lists the major issues facing District 2 residents as roads, housing attainability, homelessness, mental health and career opportunities.
“I will work to improve our roads, support attainable housing and promote career opportunities,” Anderson told the crowd. “I believe our children and grandchildren deserve the same benefits we enjoyed growing up in San Diego County. If our family members can find housing and work, maybe we won’t have to travel to Phoenix to visit our grandchildren.”
According to Anderson, “The County needs to do more to address the regional homelessness crisis which is impacting business, tourism, safety and quality of life for all residents. I will be a leader on pushing solutions for housing, mental health and homelessness, unshackling our County’s economic engine and protecting private property rights.”
Anderson said his experience in Sacramento will greatly help him as County Supervisor. “County government is the administrative arm of the state government. The County is tasked with implementing State programs like Medi-Cal and CalFresh, as well as state public safety policies and child and senior welfare programs.
“I have over a decade of experience with crafting state policy, as well as relationships with current legislators and the administration, including state department leaders who county officials must liaise with regularly to ensure effective services for our residents. Additionally, I have authored and coauthored 453 bills with Democrats and maintained positive working relationships with the super majority in Sacramento that can be utilized to bring more resources to San Diego County.”
The District 2 seat is open for the first time in 26 years. Republican Dianne Jacob, first elected as Supervisor in 1992, is termed out after six terms. District 2 has a Republican majority among registered voters. According to recent registration data, 38 percent of voters are registered as Republicans, 32 percent as Democrats and 30 percent as having no political party affiliation.
Much of the supervisorial district overlaps the same communities as the State Assembly and State Senate districts previously served by Anderson. Over the last 12 years in office, Anderson at some point represented 86.4 percent of the County’s District 2, and 78.2 percent most recently as a State Senator.
In his 2014 reelection to the State Senate, Anderson received 69.7 percent of votes from District 2 voters. In the 2018 general election, when Anderson ran for the Board of Equalization, he received 55.2 percent of votes from District 2 voters.
“I’ve always been an outspoken supporter of pro-jobs policies, government reform and lower taxes,” said Anderson. “My voting record in the state legislature shows that I’m a strong fiscal conservative and advocate for an effective, efficient and accountable government.”
The District also has a sizeable population affiliated with the military. According to the San Diego Association of Governments, 9 percent of the adults in San Diego County are military veterans. In the East County, the percentage is believed to be even higher.
As a state legislator, Anderson was honored numerous times by veterans groups, including nine Legislator of the Year awards from groups such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Officers Association of America, Vietnam Veterans of America California State Council and Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
He also was recognized with Legislator of the Year awards from: Law enforcement groups, including the California State Sheriffs’ Association and San Diego Deputy District Attorney’s Association; Business groups, including the San Diego County Apartment Association and California Small Business Administration; Medical-healthcare groups, including the San Diego Psychiatric Society and California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists; Recreational groups, including Sportsmen’s and Animal Owners’ Voting Alliance, California Rifle & Pistol Association and California League of Off-Road Voters.
According to the most recent election fundraising report, Anderson has a total of $289,422 cash on hand. Anderson’s campaign website is www.andersonforsupervisor2020.com.
