Thoughts from a former South Bay Mayor and friend of Amy

Early in her campaign, Amy invited me to blog on her site with no preconditions and with the understanding that I was not necessarily "endorsing" her as I feel there is more than one qualified candidate in the field. Since then I have been unfortunately too preoccupied with other volunteer work, involvement in other political races and more personal events to comment at any length.

That said - a primary is the time to vote for the candidate you believe is best, not necessarily the one who will win. This is not a nominating contest in which "viability" in the fall is an issue - this is a chance to choose the candidate you believe will do the best job. Amy has one key characteristic as an executive that sets her apart from most in politics and that would make her an especially excellent City Attorney - she makes decisions not based on what serves her politically or makes her personally look best, but on what and who best serves her city. For example, I cannot imagine Amy dismissing someone from their post for a mere difference of opinion - on the contrary, Amy values diversity of every kind and values competence ahead of blind loyalty. The fact that she would invite a former politician like myself to blog on her site without any promise of support or advance disclosure of content says a lot about her quality. The fact that she has been willing to correct unfactual allegations made not only against herself but against rivals as well, says a lot about her character and ethics. Amy is not necessarily the only candidate in this race who could do a great job as City Attorney. But, if you are looking for a competent breath of fresh air this is an excellent chance to vote for a candidate who can shake things up in a responsible way.

I have worked with Amy as a member of the Board of the Lawyers Club of San Diego and on the Lawyers Club Leadership Development Committee. Amy has excellent personal and professional qualities that would serve the city well, and she deserves to be considered on the basis of those qualities. Although you might not know it from some of the commentary out there, democracy isn't a horse race - it's a race to determine our future.

Good luck, Amy!!

Tim Nader
(former Mayor of Chula Vista)