District 3 San Diego Councilmember Toni Atkins on Friday filed a Form 501 Candidate Intention to raise money to run for the 4th District County Board of Supervisors, setting up what would be a significant showdown against incumbent Sup Ron Roberts next year.
Roberts no longer being in the hunt for an executive position at Centre City Development Corporation (see Duane Dichiara’s prior post) has scuttled Atkins’ hope for a vacancy on the Board of Sups. Yet, it is clear that her recent tenure as acting mayor in the wake of Dick Murphy’s resignation has bolstered her confidence in taking on Roberts. In recent days, Atkins indicated no interest in being city council president in favor of Scott Peters, thus ensuring the time needed for a campaign.
Add to this … the clear bet that Democratic and labor interests wanting to break the GOP stronghold on the Board will back her candidacy significantly … not to mention the probable national money she would raise from gay/lesbian interests wanting to win a supervisor’s seat in a major metropolitan area.
Lastly, a recent SD Ethics Commission fine against erstwhile mayoral candidate Roberts may have Atkins chomping at the bit. The Ethics Commission has turned the state’s Political Reform Act on its head, taking compliance to a possibly unheard of level. Yet, a major fine is a major fine, grist for the mill in a political campaign.
Roberts – and the local GOP – may have quite a battle on their hands here. What they do have going for them – also fair grist – is Atkins’ tenure on a council marked by some of the worst scandals in San Diego history.
Toni Atkins