Two Governing Board trustees are running in different races this primary season. Governing Board President Nora Vargas is running for County Supervisor of District One against Rafael Castellanos, Ben Hueso and Sophia Rodriguez. San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors oversee a $6 billion budget that oversee public services within the county.

Governing Board President Nora Vargas at Feb. 11 Governing Board meeting. Photo by Fernando Martinez

What would you strive to do if elected as County Supervisor? 

As the next member of the Board of Supervisors, I am committed to making real and lasting change through public policy and by engaging our residents. My focus will be to address some of the most critical issues facing our region such as homelessness, housing affordability and community displacement issues, public safety, climate justice and expanding access to health and human services.

What are the big challenges you will tackle if elected?

For the first time in 25 years, residents in San Diego County District 1 will have the opportunity to elect a member of the Board of Supervisors. As a county supervisor, I will prioritize transparency, accountability and responsiveness to constituents and community needs. My policy priorities are:

Fighting for Access to Healthcare: At Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, I championed community healthcare services, women’s reproductive rights, and health education. As your Supervisor, I want to increase mental health services and ensure our in-home healthcare programs help our seniors and people with disabilities can stay in their homes.

Addressing Homelessness and Housing Affordability: I believe everyone should have access to shelter. We have a homeless crisis in our county with over 8,000 San Diegans that are unsheltered. As supervisor, I will streamline access to housing and supportive services so families can find long term solutions to housing affordability and provide supportive services to get people off the streets.

Protecting our Environment: Our health agenda includes addressing climate change, reducing the impacts of air pollution on low income communities and creating clean energy jobs. I am committed to climate justice, accountability, and seeing measurable guidelines to help meet regional goals and State mandates.

Delivering Opportunities for Youth: I will work to build a prepared workforce and develop good jobs for our communities. I will continue to advocate for affordable college, at no cost transit passes, and job training so that people can compete for 21st century jobs.

What, outside of a college education, do you feel qualifies you for public office?

For more than 20 years, I have worked tirelessly to break down barriers and promote the advancement of our communities. My experience shaping policy and budget priorities at the Federal, State and local level has prepared me for this role. For me, public service is about creating opportunities. That’s why I have been working in our communities to expand access to education, healthcare, protect our environment, and create good jobs. As an immigrant, I know firsthand what it means to fight for better opportunities for our families.

What lessons have you learned during your time at Southwestern College that has prepared you for this position?

I have proudly served on the Southwestern College Board since 2013. I learned that my role was to champion addressing students needs from a holistic perspective, prioritizing student success, affordable college and job training for all our students, including recent high school graduates, Veterans, returning students, and DREAMers.

I learned that my responsibility extended beyond the monthly Board meeting. As a Southwestern College Governing Board member, I am accountable for monitoring and establishing fiscal priorities of the Colleges $136 million as well as close $1 billion in bonds. As a Governor Brown appointee to the CalSTRS Board, I am charged with securing the financial future of California’s educators, providing retirement, disability and survivor benefits for California’s prekindergarten through community college educators and their families. CalSTRS is the largest education-pension fund in the world with an investment portfolio with a market value of approximately $238.8 billion. My 20 years of budgetary and fiscal experience makes me uniquely qualified and positioned to demand accountability over the County’s $6 billion budget on day one.

I also learned to prioritize and maintain responsive communications with campus stakeholders and community constituents. As a Trustee, I represent about 400,000 residents and serve 25,000 students and 1,300 employees. An example of prioritized constituent engagement was earning the support from district taxpayers to pass a construction bond that was supported overwhelmingly by the community. I also engaged with industry and business leaders in prioritizing educational resources towards emerging labor markets. This assures that our students are prepared to compete in the 21st Century economy.

What makes you stand out from your opponents? 

My passion to serve is driven by my desire to improve people’s lives in our communities. I am running for San Diego County Board of Supervisors in District 1 because I come from this community and understand our needs. I have over 25 years of experience working as an advocate for health and human services, building partnerships, and making real and lasting change through policy advocacy and community organizing. I know that together we can build healthier and stronger communities and ensure that the government works for all of us.

Why should the SWC community vote for you? 

As a Southwestern College alumni, I’m excited to be running for San Diego County Supervisor. As a healthcare advocate, I’ve been in some tough fights, championing expanded healthcare services, women’s reproductive rights and health education for youth and families.

As a Southwestern Community College Board Member, I’ve balanced budgets, increased transparency and fought for all students to have access to affordable education and job training, from recent high school graduates, to our Veterans, to returning students and our DREAMers.

I’m looking forward to the road ahead, and to continuing to fight for all San Diegans. We all deserve a chance to thrive. I have seen first-hand that families all over the County are struggling to have their basic needs met – to pay their rent, pay for their medical expenses, and send their children to school. I’m running for County Board of Supervisors because I want our families and communities to have access to all the resources they need to be successful and healthy.