Does anyone really benefit by voting a straight partisan ticket? I know it takes time and energy to sift through the campaign materials and actually determine what you can believe and what you can’t. Even then, does any of that really determine how that candidate will act and vote once they reach the capitol? Then again, are there ever any Republicans that we can trust on gay issues enough to consider their overall stance on other issues?

I’m here to tell you that not only is Tricia Hunter someone that we can trust on our issues, she is someone we can trust on all issues of importance to the long term health and benefit of San Diegans. You truly don’t need to support a left-wing special interest extremist on issues from the environment to taxes in order to support gay civil rights, especially when it comes to the race for the 76th Assembly district.

Tricia Hunter isn’t new to gay issues. She had support of gay political groups when she served in the State Assembly previously. She showed her ability to break ranks with Republicans when necessary to represent the best interests of her constituents. She has worked for decades as a nurse supporting and lobbying for AIDS funding. In her personal life, she has fostered relationships and friendships with gays and lesbians across the state. She has been a friend to our community on almost every issue.

When looking at the whole picture of how issues affect our community, it’s even easier to tell how Tricia Hunter, as our representative, would positively affect our lives far beyond civil rights issues.

Tricia Hunter believes that we have a spending problem in Sacramento, not a tax problem. She supports Governor Schwarzenegger’s efforts to reduce unnecessary spending and reduce the cost of government. Cost of living in San Diego is already high enough without adding an additional tax burden that would hurt young people and those struggling to survive in our community. Her opponent advocates raising taxes, specifically increasing the property tax burden of the small businesses that give character and support to our community. With this increased tax burden, our locally owned independent businesses would give way to chain stores and large retailers.

Tricia Hunter generally supports the Governor’s efforts to get California back on track. This moderate stance at representing the people’s interests is refreshing in a California political system that has run away at representing only the special interests that fund political campaigns.

Finally the people have representation in Sacramento. Tricia will improve that by being the best representative for ALL San Diegans.

Tricia Hunter is an independent voice who has an extremely positive track record as a prior member of the State Assembly. She has worked within the system in Sacramento for the good of all Californians. She has proven her ability to effectively operate in our political system and will be of influence for important issues to our community. Her opponent not only hasn’t served in elected office, she hasn’t even run for office before. Her opponent has pet environmental projects that she intends to address in Sacramento that will likely receive priority over the needs and interests of San Diegans in general.

Tricia Hunter has a strong voting record on environmental issues. Her track record includes votes against off shore oil drilling, animal testing and for tougher penalties for corporate polluters. She understands that protecting our environment is important to the long-term interest of California and its residents.

Her opponent holds a more extreme view that involves blocking much of the new development in San Diego County and allowing sewage from Tijuana to flow unabated into the City of San Diego.

Tricia Hunter believes that we need to improve our homeland and that California should take an active role in supporting that effort. Her opponent wants to remove fences at the border increasing the flow of criminal elements into this city and state. Her opponent also believes that we should provide free college education to non-citizens even though community college courses now costs $27 per unit for California residents. Additionally, her opponent supports giving legal documentation in the way of driver’s licenses to undocumented migrants without the benefit of background checks or other safety measures.

As a gay Republican, there are several Democrats that will receive my vote, because I believe in evaluating each candidate based on the issues. I would advocate that everyone in our community evaluate Tricia Hunter based on the issues and realize that she will be a better representative for our community and for all of San Diego.