Former San Diego Mayor Faulconer announces campaign focused on homelessness, housing, and public safety.
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer made waves this Tuesday when he declared his intention to vie for the position of County Supervisor for District 3 on KUSI’s Good Morning San Diego. With the election just eight months away, Faulconer is gearing up to bring the kind of changes he says the county desperately needs.
Faulconer shared, “I’m really excited. I’m excited about the opportunity to really help turn this county around and as Mayor I made decisions that we made real progress on the issues that I think really matter in peoples’ lives.”
Having previously served the city as Mayor and a two-term council member, Faulconer has considerable familiarity with District 3, a coastal area he terms as a “great district.” His understanding of the community’s concerns for the environment, job creation, and quality of life, he asserts, equips him for this new role.
Faulconer’s campaign will squarely focus on critical issues such as rampant homelessness, a housing crisis, and safeguarding public safety. “This campaign is going to be about homelessness, we’re seeing record homelessness exploding throughout the county. It’s going to be about more housing. It’s going to be about protecting our public safety in our neighborhoods, and it’s all issues I feel very strongly about, feel very passionately about and know that we need a different direction.”
Expressing disappointment with the current board’s handling of these challenges, Faulconer emphasized the necessity of proactive leadership. “We need leadership on the board that says it’s not acceptable what’s happening – homelessness throughout our streets. We have to support our deputy sheriffs, our district attorneys who are out there on the front lines and I think I’m going to be that voice. I think it’s long overdue and I think regardless of whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, or an Independent you know we need to change things.”
According to Faulconer, the role of County Supervisor offers a significant chance to effect real change, not just citywide but countywide. His goal is to turn the county around, especially concerning the alarming increase in homelessness, which he notes is up by over 20%. “I intend to be a leader on this board. It’s going to say ‘the county will lead by example.’ We are going to drive this (homelessness) down. We are going to lead by resources. We’re going to help with additional shelters. We’re going to help with enforcement.”
Faulconer also stressed the importance of mental health care and the need for the county to take a lead in providing more resources and solutions in this area.
He aims to maintain a balanced approach, offering support while also ensuring consequences for actions. He views the issues confronting San Diegans as nonpartisan, calling for common sense rather than political affiliations. “It’s about common sense…And what people want is an actual change on the street. I think I’m uniquely qualified to do that and I’m looking forward to it.”
The former Mayor underscores the urgency for the Board of Supervisors to effect meaningful change, producing results rather than maintaining the status quo. “It is not acceptable. I repeat it is not acceptable to see the tent encampments that we’re seeing all up and down, not just the coast but the entire county,” he reiterated.
Despite past challenges, Faulconer remains steadfastly optimistic about the possibility of action and results. “The status quo is not working, so I think you’re going to see much more action,” he says, backing his belief with a reputation for collaboration and common sense.
“This is a unique opportunity to actually turn things around particularly on homelessness which is the number one issue. I have the experience, the determination, and the ability that says we are not going to take ‘no’ for an answer. We’re actually going to make a change on the streets, when we do that, we’re going to have a much better county.”
Faulconer is set to compete against incumbent Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer in the upcoming elections for the office.
