Voter Guide

Gun Violence Prevention Champions and Candidates

General Election — Tuesday, November 8, 2022

The SD4GVP Gun Violence Prevention Candidate distinction is intended to identify local candidates who have expressed their willingness to lead with gun safety in mind. The SD4GVP Gun Violence Prevention Champion distinction is intended to identify Gun Violence Prevention Candidates who have demonstrated exceptionally proactive, consistent and relentless public work to prevent gun violence. Multiple candidates in a single race can receive a distinction. Distinctions are non-partisan, as is legislation to stop gun violence. These distinctions are different from and should not be interpreted as endorsements. Read about all the qualifying candidates below, and scroll to the bottom to read about our evaluation process.

For information on candidates at the federal and state levels, check Brady PAC and Gun Sense Voter.

County Races

Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson
San Diego Board of Supervisors, District 5

“Government funding is needed for community-based organizations that provide evidence-based violence reduction initiatives. I am committed to establishing appropriate resources devoted to such funding, and to culturally competent promotion of the programs and training on how to apply for the grants, in order to help more people benefit from such community-based programs.”

– Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson, Director, Vallecitos Water District

SD4GVP is proud to name Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Dr. Boyd-Hodgson and her campaign, visit tiffanyboydhodgson.com.

Greg Hodosevich
San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector

“Once elected the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector, I will be responsible for mailing millions of property tax bills every year. I believe that such a mailer can include worthy public notifications, including those aimed to prevent gun violence.”

– Greg Hodosevich

SD4GVP is proud to name Greg Hodosevich as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Mr. Hodosevich and his campaign, visit treasurer2022.com.

Barbara Bry
San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk

“I’m honored to be named a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate in recognition of my efforts to support safe storage of firearms and to advocate for funding of violence prevention programs.”

– Barbara Bry

SD4GVP is proud to name Barbara Bry as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Ms. Bry and her campaign, visit Barbarabry.com.

City Races – San Diego

Jen Campbell
San Diego City Council, District 2

“San Diego’s pioneering gun violence restraining order program and its ghost gun law are saving lives, and I’ve supported more resources and more gun safety prosecutors to expand these two laws. We need to strengthen our collaboration with the County’s mental health response, and heighten public awareness of these important lifesaving laws.”

– Jen Campbell

SD4GVP is proud to name Jen Campbell as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Ms. Campbell and her campaign, visit drjencampbell.com.

Kent Lee
San Diego City Council, District 6

“I am supportive of the City applying for federal or state funding programs to ensure funding for much needed violence interruption programs. These violence interruption programs are paramount to addressing the systemic issues that push youth to crime and violence in the first place. The City is eligible for these dollars and should not leave money on the table that could be used to address this long-standing problem in our communities.”

– Kent Lee

SD4GVP is proud to name Kent Lee as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Mr. Lee and his campaign, visit kentleeforsd.com.

Tommy Hough​
San Diego City Council, District 6

“I’m fully supportive of the safe storage of firearms. On military bases you’re required to put a firearm into storage when not in use, and you’re rigorously trained not only on how to use a weapon in a safe manner, but the irreparable consequences those weapons have on flesh, bone, and life. That respect for the deadly power of weaponry in civilian life would make all of us safer.”

– Tommy Hough

SD4GVP is proud to name Tommy Hough as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Mr. Hough and his campaign, visit tommyhough.com.

Vivian Moreno
San Diego City Council, District 8

“One of the best ways to keep young people from falling prey to gangs, drugs and crime is to provide more opportunities for them to engage in wholesome activities through city facilities such as parks and libraries. That’s why I’ve pushed hard for the construction of more parks and libraries, and for equity in the City’s park and recreation programming, to ensure that kids have somewhere safe to have fun and learn new skills.”

– Vivian Moreno

SD4GVP is proud to name Vivian Moreno as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Ms. Moreno and her campaign, visit vivanmorenosd.com.

City Races – Carlsbad

Sam Ward
Carlsbad City Council, District 1

“Deaths and profound injuries caused by unauthorized access to firearms are completely preventable. Every jurisdiction should have a safe storage requirement and should be engaged in public outreach efforts (including provision of free trigger locks and other safe storage devices) to encourage compliance with the law.”

– Sam Ward

SD4GVP is proud to name Sam Ward as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Mr. Ward and his campaign, visit wardforcarlsbad.com.

Priya Bhat-Patel
Carlsbad City Council, District 3

“We must do more to address gun violence because no one, especially our youth, deserves to feel unsafe in their school or neighborhood. I’m committed to taking action that focuses on prevention by tackling gun violence as a public health issue that impacts us all.”

– Priya Bhat-Patel

SD4GVP is proud to name Priya Bhat-Patel as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Dr. Bhat-Patel and her campaign, visit priyabhatpatel.com.

City Races – Oceanside

Eric Joyce
Oceanside City Council, District 1

“If elected, I will partner with local community organizations to keep students in productive programming that includes a focus on mental health and access to opportunity. These investments have a direct impact on gun violence prevention.”

– Eric Joyce

SD4GVP is proud to name Eric Joyce as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Mr. Joyce and his campaign, visit ericjoyce.org.

Daniel Dominguez
Oceanside City Council, District 2

“Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, and the majority of American suicide deaths involve firearms. Safe gun storage laws reduce the access to guns, and correspondingly reduce suicides. A majority of gun owners support such laws, and I will work to increase the safe storage of firearms.”

– Daniel Dominguez

SD4GVP is proud to name Daniel Dominguez as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Mr. Dominguez and his campaign, visit dominguez4oceanside.com.

City Races – Vista

Cipriano Vargas
Vista Mayor

“I would like to invest in our youth by expanding services through the recreation department, and to execute a community-wide educational program on gun safety for all of our citizens. I will also work closely with the Vista Sheriff’s Department, the Vista School District, and organizations like SD4GVP to make sure that gun-violence prevention workshops are being implemented.”

– Cipriano Vargas

SD4GVP is proud to name Cipriano Vargas as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Mr. Vargas and his campaign, visit ciprianovargas.com.

Dan O’Donnell
Vista City Council, District 4

“Suicide impacts all of us, including active duty military, veterans, and our first responders who are being spread thin by lack of available relief on the job. It is imperative that we have the proper resources to aid in mental health, as well as having safety measures in place that help prevent suicides by gun. I support safer storage options and the temporary removal of weapons from individuals who might harm themselves or others.”

– Dan O’Donnell

SD4GVP is proud to name Dan O’Donnell as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Mr. O’Donnell and his campaign, visit danforvista.com.

Education Races

Godwin Higa
San Diego Unified School Board, District B

“As a principal at Cherokee Point Elementary School in Mid-city San Diego, we created the first Trauma-Informed/Responsive and Restorative Justice school in San Diego. We must address the nation’s mental health crises in our youth and adults. Addressing the root of the toxic stress and creating a school that leads with compassion is the first step in preventing violence or suicide.”

– Godwin Higa

SD4GVP is proud to name Godwin Higa as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Mr. Higa and his campaign, visit godwin4kids.com.

Shana Hazan
San Diego Unified School Board, District B

“On the School Board, I will work in partnership with local gun violence prevention and suicide prevention leaders to raise awareness among district families – using multiple communication channels – about gun violence restraining orders, the importance of safe storage of firearms, and community resources available to support students, parents, and district staff that are at risk. I will also ensure our schools use restorative practices that promote positive and inclusive campus climates, prevent gun violence, and curb the school to prison pipeline.”

– Shana Hazan

SD4GVP is proud to name Shana Hazan as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Ms. Hazan and her campaign, visit shanaforschoolboard.com.

Cody Petterson
San Diego Unified School Board, District C

“As a school board member, I would invest meaningful resources and effort into adopting restorative practices to foster open, intimate, resilient social environments for students and staff. I would also expand the scope of prevention to include greater investment in mental health and counseling, and more staff to monitor recess and after-school settings, where the majority of bullying and interpersonal conflict take place.”

– Cody Petterson

SD4GVP is proud to name Cody Petterson as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Mr. Petterson and his campaign, visit codyforsdusd.com.

Michele Tsutagawa Ward
Carlsbad Unified School Board, Area 1

“As a school board member I will have the opportunity to support informing our families and our community regarding gun safety. Schools are a conduit to our community and I feel that this is the best way to reach our families and to protect children.”

– Michele Tsutagawa Ward

SD4GVP is proud to name Michele Tsutagawa Ward as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Ms. Ward and her campaign, visit michelewardforcarlsbadschools.com.

Kathy Rallings
Carlsbad Unified School District Trustee, Area 5

“While I have been on the Carlsbad School Board, we have educated families about safe storage of firearms and have hired several counselors and psychologists in order to help individuals in crisis. We need to continue and strengthen efforts to teach students to use their words to handle conflict, as one of the best ways to reduce violence in our schools.”

– Kathy Rallings

SD4GVP is proud to name Kathy Rallings as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Ms. Rallings and her campaign, visit re-electrallings.com.

Georgine Tomasi
Escondido Union School Board, Area 4

“Schools must spend more time and money upfront providing kids the resources and skills to deal with life situations without abusive/aggressive language, bullying, knives and guns. We can also protect students by limiting access to guns at home, by notifying parents about safe firearm storage.”

– Georgine Tomasi

SD4GVP is proud to name Georgine Tomasi as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Ms. Tomasi and her campaign, visit re-electtomasi4schoolboard.com.

Brianna Coston
La Mesa Spring Valley School Board Trustee, Area 3

“I support policies to teach educators and families how to look out for signs of students who may have suicidal ideations. The schools in the district have divested from mental health resources and we need to invest more resources to ensure ALL students feel seen and supported on campuses. The last few years have also been incredibly difficult for educators and they are experiencing burnout at unprecedented rates. We should also ensure our educators have the mental health support they need to best support and teach our students.”

– Brianna Coston

SD4GVP is proud to name Brianna Coston as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Ms. Coston and her campaign, visit briannacoston.com.

Frida Brunzell
Poway Unified School District Board of Education Trustee, Area B

“I will continue to advocate that our school district educate parents about safely storing firearms. I will also continue to support our school district safety committee’s work on a variety of items, including safety cameras, improved mental health programs, and anti-bullying initiatives.”

– Frida Brunzell

SD4GVP is proud to name Frida Brunzell as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Ms. Brunzell and her campaign, visit Frida4PUSD.com.

Rimga Viskanta
San Dieguito Union High School District Trustee, Area 1

“It’s critical to address mental health and inclusivity in the student population. We do and should continue to promote our “see something/say something” policies to prevent escalation to violence. I support restorative justice practices in our schools, as well as annually notifying families about gun storage laws.”

– Rimga Viskanta

SD4GVP is proud to name Rimga Viskanta as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Ms. Viskanta and her campaign, visit voteforviskanta.com.

Jane Lea Smith
San Dieguito Union High School District Trustee, Area 3

“As a school board trustee, I would be committed to policies and programs that work with our community to recognize, address and prevent social-emotional distress in our students. This includes adequate staffing, effective community partnerships, and honest conversations about the root causes of mental health issues and death by suicide within our district. I support annual notices to our families informing them of safe gun storage practices and requirements, as well as funding for any effective programs that seek to educate the public on the life-saving value of secure storage.”

– Jane Lea Smith

SD4GVP is proud to name Jane Lea Smith as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Ms. Smith and her campaign, visit smith4sandieguito.com.

Marti Emerald
Sweetwater Union High School District Board, Area 5

“I would work with the school district, mental health professionals, and the police to produce safety educational materials, organize safety programs, and encourage student driven efforts to educate their peers – all with a focus on gun safety.”

– Marti Emerald

SD4GVP is proud to name Marti Emerald as a Gun Violence Prevention Candidate.

To find out more about Ms. Emerald and her campaign, visit marti4sweetwater.com.

Our Evaluation Process

In the run-up to an election, SD4GVP invites candidates to fill out a questionnaire. It is an opportunity for them to describe their past and current work in gun violence prevention and related areas, and to outline their intention to work toward preventing gun violence in the future. SD4GVP considers candidate responses, as well as policy positions outlined on their campaign website, their public statements, and actions they have initiated or supported that forward our mission to reduce gun violence. Sources include interviews with the media, public forums they have participated in going back several years, and social media posts. Based on all of this information, SD4GVP designates qualifying candidates as either Gun Violence Prevention Candidates or Gun Violence Prevention Champions and lists them on the SD4GVP GVP Candidates Page.

Bookmark this page and check back for more candidates as the election draws near.