Mayor: 'Women Have Not Fared Well in Santee Politics'

Updated April 29

"Women have not fared well in Santee politics," wrote Mayor Randy Voepel in a comment on Wednesday's Patch poll: Would More Women in Politics Lead to More Problems Solved?

In his comment he answered the question posed in the poll.

"In my 17 years in office I have seen no difference in performance between the genders."

Only two women have been elected to Santee's city government. The city has seen many women run for city council and mayor, with two voted onto the council and one appointed. Pat Gallardo was voted onto the first city council in 1982. Lori Howard served on the council for two terms, from 1994 to 2002, when John Minto won by a scant nine votes. Edith French was appointed to the council, but failed to be elected in the 1994 and 1998 elections. The last couple elections have seen Shari L. Groce, Janet Enright and Maggie Acerra run for council without success. See the attached PDF for a complete list of Santee's election results.

Here's the entire comment:

"Women have not fared well in Santee politics. One was appointed to the City Council to fill a vacancy and could not get re-elected. The other was elected in a close race and could not get re-elected (lost by 12 votes). Both women were good City Council members but just could not catch on with a majority of voters. Would more women solve problems better? In my 17 years in office I have seen no difference in performance between the genders. Like any group, some are stars and some are duds with most in between. My personal best female leader and someone I try to emulate, is County Supervisor Dianne Jacob. Of all the local electeds male or female she is the best of the best in my book."

Correction: Pat Gallardo was not included in the original version of this post.

COMMENT: Why do you think the ratio of men to women elected to office in Santee is so unbalanced? Do you think more women in local government would lead to more problems solved?