County Supervisor Candidate Joel Anderson Endorsed by Pete Wilson

Joel Anderson, former State Assemblyman and State Senator, after recently announcing his candidacy for the District 2 seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in the 2020 election, has announced an endorsement from former California Gov. Pete Wilson.

Wilson wrote in a letter, “I strongly endorse former California State Senator Joel Anderson for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (2nd District) to fill the vacancy that will be created by the retirement of Supervisor Dianne Jacob.”

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.

“Joel will work tirelessly to ensure public safety, to relieve congestion and maintain safe roads, to remove barriers to affordable housing, to deal with homelessness, and with other priority problems demanding action,” said Wilson in his letter. “Throughout his legislative career in the Assembly and State Senate, Joel has achieved significant goals for the people of not only the 2nd District but the entire state. We need his leadership skills, intelligence and integrity on the Board of Supervisors to meet the challenges confronting San Diego County.”

Anderson, a longtime Alpine resident, previously served for 12 years 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.

“Governor Wilson is a dedicated public servant who made great achievements for San Diego and for our state, and I am honored to receive his endorsement,” said Anderson. “This great news has further energized our campaign, and I am eager to continue this momentum by connecting with community members at an upcoming event in Lakeside.”

In addition to Wilson’s endorsement, Anderson, a Republican, has been endorsed by Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-50th) and State Senator Brian W. Jones (R-38th), along with Lakeside Water District board members Eileen Neumeister and Pete Jenkins and Lakeside Community Planning Group board member John Neumeister.

An upcoming Anderson fundraiser on Tuesday, April 30 at Trevi Hills Winery in Lakeside will be hosted by 25 Lakeside elected officials and community leaders, all of whom are endorsing Anderson.

Additional endorsers and hosts for Anderson’s Lakeside fundraiser on April 30 include: Lakeside Water District board members Frank Hilliker, Steve Robak and Steve Johnson; Lakeside Union School District board of trustees Bonnie LaChappa, John Butz and Andrew Hayes; Lakeside Fire Protection District board members Bob Robeson and Mark Baker; Kathy Kassel, president, Lakeside Chamber of Commerce, and her husband David Kassel; Lakeside Chamber of Commerce board members Nina Dramissi, Bob Lloyd and Lisa Grote; Jill Fleming, a previous Lakeside Citizen of the Year recipient; Lakeside-area business owners Bob Turner, Eric Andersen, Eric Enniss, Greg Brown, Gregg and Jeff Hamann, James Fread, Robert Davila, Steve Menefee, Terry Cameron, Austin Cameron, Todd Williams, Ron and Angela Andrews and William Exeter.

To RSVP for the Lakeside fundraiser, send an e-mail to Anderson4Supervisor2020@gmail.com, or call or text (619) 356-8263.

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 said. “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 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.

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.