Joel Anderson

Tell us a little about yourself, where you live and why you are run­ning for District 2 San Diego Board of Supervisors.

I grew up in East County and I cur­rently live in Alpine with my wife of 31 years. We raised our three children here and that’s why I’m running for Supervisor to ensure that my chil­dren and grandchildren will be able to enjoy the same opportunities my wife and I had raising a family in San Diego County. Lack of county lead­ership has led to a mental health and homelessness crisis, out of control housing costs, too many taxes and fees, traffic gridlock and dumping of sex-offenders in East County. As your Supervisor, I will fight for East County and our quality of life.

What are your top three priorities at the county level and how do you expect to make an impact?

Over the years, I have been out talking to voters in East County about their concerns. Roads, the cost of living (housing) and homelessness (mental health) are at the top of the list. As your State Senator, I’ve al­ways prioritized my constituents and I will as your next Supervisor.

Every year I hosted a Holiday Legislative Open House which was my opportunity to hear your ideas on what needed to be fixed in gov­ernment. Sixty percent of the bills I would introduce every year started as ideas from someone who attended my event and shared their thoughts. My goal was always to support ideas that lift our community and as your Supervisor this won’t change. I’m not afraid to work across party lines to move the ball for those I serve. While I was your State Senator, I authored 453 bills with those in the majority party while also remaining true to my values. Politics doesn’t always have to be an us against them and I have proven it. We need to be laser focused on policies that lift our community and help address real problems that we are facing like homelessness and high cost of living.

What are your opinions on the encroachment of urban and profes­sional expansions in East County’s undeveloped wild spaces?

East County has beautiful open space that should be preserved and enjoyed by the public. It is important we balance our quality of life with the professional needs of our Coun­ty. In fact, since 1998 the County of San Diego has invested $202 million dollars to acquire more than 22,000 acres of open space for the purpose of conservation. As your Supervisor, my goal would be to ensure that these public lands are available for public use to encourage recreational oppor­tunities in our beautiful back country. If we are going to make the invest­ment in conservation, we should en­sure the public is always provided the opportunity to enjoy these beautiful spaces.

What makes you the best candidate for District 2 and why?

As your State Senator, it was my goal to make government work for you. I never forgot that you were my boss and I worked hard every day to fight for you. Every year my of­fice solved over 1,000 cases for those who were having trouble with oner­ous State agencies like the DMV or the Franchise Tax Board. I would host 8-12 “Community Coffee” town halls across my district from Julian to La Mesa because I believed that you should have direct access to me. As your County Supervisor, these proac­tive open-door policies would con­tinue because effective, efficient and accountable government is my goal.

I’m grateful for the support of over 3,000 citizens that have endorsed my campaign because they know that I’m East County’s leading conserva­tive and tax fighter, I’ve worked with both parties to pass reforms, I’ve fought career politicians in both par­ties when they were wrong, I’ve lived in East County for over 30 years and I’ve earned the support of over 45 East County elected officials.

I believe in the saying, “when a man promises you the world tomor­row, ask him what he did yesterday.” My voting record that has been rec­ognized by numerous organizations such as the Howard Jarvis Taxpay­ers Association, the California Tax­payers Association, the California Chamber of Commerce and I’ve been awarded 27 prestigious “Legislator of the Year” awards from respected organizations such as the: California State Sheriffs’ Association, Crime Victims United, American Legion, California Veterans of Foreign Wars Department (VFW), Vietnam Vet­erans of America and others. This election is important for the future of East County and we need a voice that will fight for us.

What would you like to say that is not covered in the above questions?

It was an honor to serve you as your senator and it would be a privi­lege to have the opportunity to repre­sent you as your county supervisor.