The Sandpiper Endorses
Del Mar voters will choose two of the four candidates on the ballot to serve on our City Council. Too often in the past, we’ve had uncontested elections, leaving voters with no choice. A contested election is good for democracy, giving us the best opportunity to collectively decide what leadership will best serve our city. And this year, there are real differences between the candidates. The Sandpiper editorial board endorses:
JAS GREWAL: The community has seen Jas Grewal work hard and effectively in service to our City for years: on the Finance Committee for eight years, and on the Planning Commission for the past three years. In 2020, she was appointed by Council to the Ad-Hoc Citizen’s Housing Task Force, where she worked on the Housing Production and Preservation Subcommittee (along with Tracy Martinez, who now serves as our Mayor). That Task Force was a “baptism by fire” in the complexities of our affordable housing obligations. While there is room for disagreement on some of her positions, her service demonstrates her deep commitment to Del Mar as well as her leadership qualities. She can be counted on to be well prepared, to respect the views of others, and to make thoughtful decisions. Her long executive experience in banking should serve us well in continuing Del Mar’s long record of prudent financial management.
MEGHAN SPIEKER appears to be a candidate tailor-made to meet the moment we find ourselves in. With consequential decisions just ahead of us that will shape Del Mar for decades to come, we need leaders with the deep experience and skills necessary to reach the best possible outcomes. Spieker’s experiences in both nonprofit leadership and as an attorney handling complex business litigation means she can collaborate effectively to find the best solutions for Del Mar– and can also fight hard and effectively for Del Mar when a hard fight is called for. At a time when our reputation regionally has been greatly diminished, for reasons noted in our Editorial, she has the skill set and commitment to repair our regional relationships, and restore Del Mar’s reputation as a small City that punches above its weight. Her service on the Planning Commission will allow her to hit the ground running on Council.
Both of these candidates are endorsed by U.S. Congressmember Mike Levin, which means a strong federal connection is already assured. They both have strong relationships with other elected officials regionally. Their Sierra Club endorsements signal their alignment with Del Mar’s strong environmental values. In a time of transition for our Fire Department, they both are endorsed by the Del Mar Firefighters. Del Mar can best position ourselves for the future by electing these candidates to our Council.
The Sandpiper also endorses:
- Mike Levin, U.S. Congress (CA-49)
- Xavier Becerra, Governor
- Catherine Blakespear, State Senate
- Tasha Boerner, State Assembly
- Helen Doyle, SDUHS Trustee