Most of the members of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors have been in office for more than 20 years. That will change after this year’s election.
New supervisors will be elected in Districts 4 and 5 because of the addition of term limits for the board positions.
The San Diego supervisors race for District 5 has four candidates — two Democrats and two Republicans. The winner will replace termed-out supervisor Bill Horn.
District 5 covers the entire width of North County — from Carlsbad and Oceanside on the coast, north to the Orange and Riverside county borders and through Valley Center and Borrego Springs to the Imperial Valley line.
Candidate Jerry Kern has been an Oceanside city councilman for 12 years. He also serves on the community engagement panel for the decommissioning of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Kern is a Republican. Supervisors positions are non-partisan, but currently, all five members of the board are Republicans.
Kern spoke with KPBS Midday Edition host Maureen Cavanaugh about his positions on some of the top issues in the race and why he is running for the seat.
Kern's candidate interview airs on Tuesday on Midday Edition.