In an odd trend thought to be unique to the District 38 California state Senate race, many lifelong Democrats have pledged to vote for Republican Matt Gunderson. They are strongly opposed to Democratic candidate Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear.
“Like several of my friends,” said Solana Beach resident Anna Polis, “I’ll vote for Gunderson. It’ll be the first time in my life to vote for a Republican. Blakespear is dishonest. She’s a disingenuous politician who has done grave damage in her city and in San Diego County as chairwoman of SANDAG.”
“Matt probably has the vote of every Orange County Republican in District 38,” said Mission Viejo resident Sam Clemente. “But from what I hear from lots of Democrats and independents, Matt has them on his side too. Blakespear is seen as a poisonous snake here.”
“It’s surprising,” said Encinitas resident Pat Dry. “I’ve never seen an election where there’s so much animosity toward a candidate of the voters’ own party. Sure, some Democrats are sticking with Blakespear, but there are droves who aren’t. Then when you count the indies who are going for Gunderson, wow!, it looks like he has a good chance of winning.”
“The redrawn boundaries of state Senate District 38 stretch from deep into Orange County all the way down to Mission Beach,” said Pacific Beach resident Skip Bake. “We Democrats don’t know much about politics in many D38 cities, but we do know about SANDAG. And we know something about the shameful scandals that have come down on Blakespear’s watch. They’re enough to put the nix on her as a state senator for me and every Dem I know. We’ll vote for Gunderson.”
