San Diego, California, October 11, 2022 – San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention (SD4GVP) released its final 2022 San Diego County Voter Guide today, identifying 25 candidates running for local office in San Diego County who are committed to leading with gun safety in mind. The SD4GVP Voter Guide is available online at www.sd4gvp.org/candidates/ for County residents to access before Election Day on Nov. 8.
“The number-one way to change the disheartening amount of gun violence is to vote for candidates who understand the root causes of violence, and who will take steps to address those causes,” said Therese Hymer, Legislation and Advocacy Team Lead for SD4GVP. “No city, county, or state is immune to gun violence. Residents who want to promote gun safety in San Diego County are encouraged to evaluate these candidates and consider them for a vote.”
SD4GVP Gun Violence Prevention Candidate selections are non-partisan, as is legislation and related advocacy work to stop gun violence. The SD4GVP 2022 Voter Guide identifies candidates from across San Diego County in city and county races, including the board of supervisors, city councils, and school board positions, among others. More than one candidate is named in a race if each is committed to promoting gun safety.
The recognized candidates proactively support initiatives and programs that prevent gun violence, such as:
· Safe firearm storage outreach and education to prevent firearm theft, reduce suicides, and curb gun deaths and injuries among children and teens.
· Restorative justice programs, trauma-informed conflict resolution, and increased investment in mental health and counseling in schools.
· Government funding for community-based organizations that provide violence interruption and prevention services for victims of gun violence and those at risk of committing such violence.
· Increased funding for parks, libraries, arts programs, and job resources in underserved neighborhoods.
· Ghost gun laws to prohibit untraceable guns and ensure background checks on weapon purchases.
· Gun violence restraining orders to temporarily remove guns from people deemed a danger to themselves or others.
The following people have received the distinction of Gun Violence Prevention Candidate from SD4GVP:
· Nathan Fletcher, San Diego County Board of Supervisors, District 4 – Gun Violence Prevention Champion
· Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson, San Diego County Board of Supervisors, District 5
· Greg Hodosevich, San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector
· Barbara Bry, San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk
· Jen Campbell, San Diego City Council, District 2
· Kent Lee, San Diego City Council, District 6
· Tommy Hough, San Diego City Council, District 6
· Vivian Moreno, San Diego City Council, District 8
· Sam Ward, Carlsbad City Council, District 1
· Priya Bhat-Patel, Carlsbad City Council, District 3
· Eric Joyce, Oceanside City Council, District 1
· Daniel Dominguez, Oceanside City Council, District 2
· Cipriano Vargas, Vista Mayor
· Dan O’Donnell, Vista City Council, District 4
· Godwin Higa, San Diego Unified School Board, District B
· Shana Hazan, San Diego Unified School Board, District B
· Cody Petterson, San Diego Unified School Board, District C
· Michele Tsutagawa Ward, Carlsbad Unified School District Trustee, Area 1
· Kathy Rallings, Carlsbad Unified School District Trustee, Area 5
· Georgine Tomasi, Escondido Union School Board, Area 4
· Brianna Coston, La Mesa Spring Valley School Board Trustee, Area 3
· Frida Brunzell, Poway Unified School District Board of Education Trustee, Area B
· Rimga Viskanta, San Dieguito Union High School District Trustee, Area 1
· Jane Lea Smith, San Dieguito Union High School District Trustee, Area 3
· Marti Emerald, Sweetwater Union High School District Board, Area 5
This is the third election year in which SD4GVP has released a voter guide to highlight candidates who have expressed their willingness to lead with gun safety in mind and have demonstrated that commitment in their actions. The SD4GVP Legislation and Advocacy Team of 10 volunteers gather questionnaires to assess a candidate’s past work and intention to promote gun safety in the future. Next, committee volunteers validate the information, fact-checking that the candidate’s commitment to gun violence prevention aligns with their voting record, public statements, campaign material, and independent media reports. Candidates who have demonstrated exceptionally proactive, consistent, and relentless public work to prevent gun violence are designated at the higher level of a GVP Champion.
More Resources to Find Gun Safety Candidates
Read more about each candidate and their perspective on gun violence issues and legislation in the SD4GVP 2022 San Diego County Voter Guide at www.sd4gvp.org/candidates/. For information about candidates in state and federal races who support gun violence prevention, refer to the following resources:
• Brady-endorsed candidates: https://bradypac.org/candidates/
• Moms Demand Action Gun Sense candidates: https://gunsensevoter.org/candidates/
• Candidates endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund: www.gunsensevoter.org/2022-endorsed-candidates/
• Giffords Gun Safety Champions: https://giffords.org/elections/endorsements/
SD4GVP distinctions are different from and should not be interpreted as endorsements.
About San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention (SD4GVP)
Founded in 2018, SD4GVP, 501(c)(4), is an all-volunteer coalition of citizens and organizations in the
San Diego region and beyond dedicated to ending gun violence in the U.S. This is accomplished through legislative advocacy, public education, and intervention strategies in high-risk communities. For more information, visit sd4gvp.org or follow the organization on Facebook at SD4GVP, on Twitter @gvpsd4 or on Instagram @sd4gvp.