Name-calling is what you do when you can’t defend your ideas or engage in debate knowledgeably.
Full disclosure: The undersigned are Democrats, progressive liberals and left-leaning residents. No Republicans are among us.
We are fed up with the use of the single word “MAGA” to bypass informed discussion, so voters truly know what policies and candidates they will support. We are disgusted by the dog whistle that urges left-leaning voters to cede their vote based on the single word “MAGA,” which should offend voters of every stripe.
The ad from local developer attorney Marco Gonzalez’s “Conserve North County” PAC is part of a Trump-like strategy to sway voters into following blindly, one we reject.
Democrat Encinitas council candidates Rimga Viskanta, Arielle Golden and Brad Lefkowits rely heavily on this messaging. They must think we’re stupid.
Instead of being led by chants of “MAGA,” consider whether these candidates will represent you. From the Sept. 17, 2026, St. Andrews forum:
Viskanta — At 58:28, starting with “Imagine if we had local control…,” she laid out her vision. Except we don’t have local control free from state mandates. Meeting these mandates in a fictitious world is irresponsible, dangerous and does not align with reality.
Golden — At 13:50, she said her No. 1 priority is to raise fees commensurate with area cities. The current council did just that recently. Not known for prior engagement in city politics, even while campaigning, Golden remains disconnected.
Lefkowits — At 59:26, he proposes an affordable housing approach that only one city has used, Huntington Beach. Now the subject of multiple lawsuits, that city is on the hook for $400 million for a single site.
These are not one-off examples; they indicate personality types that will not change. Collectively, they don’t pay attention to current events or the issues we face. This is who they are and what we would get if they were elected.
The MAGA label goes far beyond lazy campaigning. Its use reveals an inability to improve on the current council’s policy and actions. It resorts to gaslighting and alternative facts to bring our good, honest council members down to the labeler’s inauthentic level, where they will say anything to win.
We, the undersigned, simply ask that you do your own homework and hear what all candidates have to offer. Do not fall for the single-word dog whistle “MAGA” as a shortcut to deciding your vote.
This commentary was submitted by Peter Stern, Denise Martin, Kathleen Lindemann, Jerry Sodomka, Ruben Flores, Joe Cooper, Sheila Cameron, Susan Turney, Sarah Lifton, Katrin Flechsig, Shaun Wallace, Mary Fleener and Lynn Marr.
6 comments
EMusick yes, imagery worthy of a Trump ad the same as your Blakespear has been pumping into our mailboxes weekly. Is this all you’ve got? Level headed Dems call BS on you.
It is hard to take the coauthors of this OpEd critical tone seriously given their own track record. For years, they have routinely maligned local candidates, officials, and residents who offer different perspectives across social media, the press, and council chambers. While they now object to being associated with MAGA-aligned figures, their policy priorities tell a different story. Opposing safer streets, blocking comprehensive climate action, and championing exclusionary housing policies mirror the exact playbook they claim to stand against. If you consistently push policies that sideline marginalized residents and serve private interests over the common good, you cannot be surprised when your political alignment is questioned.
EMusick not once was “Blakespear puppet” used in this piece so your comment is irrelevant. On the other hand, the imagery employed by those you support is obscene and you should be ashamed of yourself for liking it.
Many of the signers once voted for Blakespear but apparently unlike you, know when something’s not working.
OMG – Are you delusional?? What imagery are you talking about?? There’s nothing in the opinion piece about imagery of any kind, nor anything about what I do or do not like.
On the other hand, your comment about Blakespear perfectly reinforces the point of my criticism of the opinion piece. You are not shy about your personal contempt for Blakespear – it is quite well documented. The thing is, she is not in this race, yet you still feel the need to make a comment about “something’s not working” with the implication that this automatically applies anyone in the same party.
Encinitans will vote to maintain the current leadership team with Mayor Ehlers and city council member San Antonio, (others) and vote for Ed Sprague for the Cardiff District. Experience and steady, non-partisan leadership critical over the inexperienced team DSA running on the abolish ICE platform; soft on crime, against parental rights, more. Keep state and Federal politics out of city hall by voting for candidates who understand our city, think locally, are non-partisan, and have what it takes.
Perhaps the authors might heed their own advice and recognize that the candidates they criticize are independent adults with their own skills, values, and experiences, and refrain from the constant dog whistle “BLAKESPEAR-puppet” in every social media post and comment merely because these folks belong to the same political party as our past mayor. Otherwise, don’t complain when someone points out that your favored candidates belong to and are endorsed by the political party that gave us MAGA.