Your Vote on Term Limits Is Being Overridden

Media
8 hours ago
2 min read

. . . I Won't Let That Happen Quietly

I want to be upfront with you about something happening at the County that I think you need to know about.

A proposal is being fast-tracked to put a measure on this November's ballot that would extend term limits for the Board of Supervisors from two terms to three and convert the county's Chief Administrative Officer — a professional manager — into an elected politician. It also proposes creating new county offices and commissions. A Board vote could come as early as April.

I oppose this proposal, and I want to explain why.

In 2010, 68% of you voted to limit supervisors to two terms. That was a clear, decisive mandate from the people of San Diego County. You made that choice because you watched power concentrate on a single board for over a couple of decades, and you said: that's enough. Now, less than 20 years later, supervisors are proposing to give themselves an extra term — and the ones who benefit the soonest are the ones whose terms are about to expire.

These positions were never meant to be lifelong careers. Extending term limits and creating elected administrative offices turns public service into permanent political employment. Government works best when leadership turns over, ideas stay fresh, and power doesn't concentrate. Extending term limits does the opposite.

I'm equally concerned about the push to make the Chief Administrative Officer an elected position. The CAO is supposed to be a professional manager, not a politician. Turning that role into an elected office injects politics into day-to-day operations and weakens accountability instead of strengthening it. When administrators have to campaign, fundraise, and run for re-election, their focus shifts from running the government efficiently to running their next campaign.

And we've seen what happens when professional management is replaced by political maneuvering. Look at the City of San Diego — once the City Manager was removed, you were left with elected officials effectively running the city, and the results speak for themselves. That model didn't produce stability or better outcomes. It produced dysfunction, finger-pointing, and a lack of clear responsibility.

I also have serious concerns about the proposal to create new county offices and commissions. The draft ballot language is vague on the details — what powers these bodies would have, who they'd answer to, and how they'd actually function. Without those specifics locked in by voters, the Board of Supervisors would get to fill in the blanks after the fact.

You spoke clearly in 2010. I intend to honor that, and I'll be opposing this proposal when it comes before the Board. I'll keep you updated as this moves forward and make sure you know when and how to make your voice heard.