Supervisor Slater-Price was joined in front of the County Administration Center by former San Diego City Councilwoman Donna Frye; former state Senator Dede Alpert, a Democrat; and retired Navy Captain Phil Monroe, a Republican. All four endorsed Dave Roberts, a Democrat who is currently deputy mayor of Solana Beach.
Slater-Price is stepping down after 20 years on the board.
“I’m sure that it has escaped no one’s attention here that I am a Republican endorsing a Democrat,” she said. “That’s because, like you, I believe that the County of San Diego, which is a non-partisan race, that we should not let party labels get in the way of choosing the best person for the job.“
Until now, the clear front runner in the race has been Republican Steve Danon, former chief of staff for Congressman Brian Bilbray. Danon has been campaigning for more than a year for the seat already and had collected endorsements from the Republican Party and many local elected officials. He has already raised more than $180,000 for his campaign.
Dave Roberts launched his campaign earlier this year. At his official kick-off yesterday, he offered voters an alternative.
“They now have a choice to elect a proven regional leader with extensive public service and real private service experience, who has broad bipartisan support,” he said. “As emphasized here today, to take this county to even greater heights.“
The Board of Supervisors has been 100 percent Republican for more than 20 years.
The other candidates in the race for the 3rd District seat, Del Mar Mayor Carl Hilliard, assistant county counsel Bryan Ziegler and transportation supervisor Steve Pate, are all Republicans.
Though the race could be won in June if one candidate gets more than 51 percent of the vote, a run-off is likely in November.
