OCEANSIDE ELECTION 2026 – DISTRICT 1.
Just moved here less than 2 months ago and I am registered to vote in my new hood. It has been interesting ramping up on the issues and candidates here in Oceanside. The names and faces are different, but the issues are mostly the same as in Poway. Incumbent candidate (and deputy mayor) Eric Joyce appears to me as the heavy favorite to win. He is an establishment candidate, but from the Democratic Party point of view with dedicated support from labor and environmental coalitions. He appears to me to be a cheerful and resolute supporter of the city. But his support of an economically-just policy concerns me. Typically, social justice, or in this case economic justice, ends up rewarding some at the expense of others. This is something that needs to be carefully monitored and challenged. Just a hunch, but I think Joyce may have political career aspirations. Nothing wrong with that, but I can see a trajectory.
His opponent is Michael Cline who is leaning in on his military experience. This is definitely “a thing” here in Oceanside since we are next door to Camp Pendleton. Cline supports affordability, public safety, and beach protection. The affordability topic is one that I want to learn more. He wants to relieve financial pressure, spend responsibly, and support residents and businesses. That sounds nice, but it can mean anything. As a long-time Oceanside native and service member, my sense is Cline wants to be “In the Arena” (see Teddy Roosevelt) and contribute to his hometown. But I see little depth in his policy proposals. I need to learn more about his ideas.
I don’t plan to vote for Joyce. There’s an outside shot I might support Cline depending on what I learn. AS a newbie in town, I need ramp up more on the issues and candidates.
OCEANSIDE ELECTION 2026 – DISTRICT 2.
This contest reminds me of the Poway Mayoral race. The incumbent and ex-fire chief, Rick Robinson, is the public service, law enforcement, local control candidate. He also cites support for agrotourism (need to learn more), mobile homes, traffic improvement, biking/walking/equestrian trails, and the RE:BEACH infrastructure project. He is opposed by three challengers, two of which are very progressive. This is likely to shape up similarly to the Poway Mayor race where the opposition splits the anti-incumbent vote and Robinson ends up earning a second term on council. I have seen all sorts of objections to Robinson, including accusations of illegal campaign donations. I don’t know much about Robinson and the details of these accusations. I just have a tough time seeing him lose this race based on the limited information I have. Side Note: It made me smile to see a candidate named Ricky James on the ballot. Looks to me like Ricky is a the kind you take home to mother.
OCEANSIDE ELECTION 2026 – MEASURE R.
My understanding is that this measure gives the City the option to hire prevailing wage contractors for city projects (at added cost to taxpayers) with the goal of being more aligned with state policies so more state funds come back to Oceanside. This feels more like a labor initiative to me. Plus, it only reinforces an unethical system where we must bend a knee just to hope to get back our own money taken by Sacramento in the first place. Measure R only reinforces the corrupt process. I am a No on R.
OCEANSIDE ELECTION 2026 – MEASURE S.
This is a ½ cent sales tax increase proposal to fund rebuilding of the Oceanside Pier, keeping streets clean, improving traffic, protecting beaches, and modernizing facilities. I know the new police dept building is a big part of this. As a newbie to Oceanside, I can vouch firsthand that the Oceanside Pier needs help. The concrete bridge connecting the sidewalk to the wooden pier needs an upgrade. I just have my doubts about how the rest will be spent since it is just going into the General Fund where it can be spent on most anything, including union-supported higher employee and contractor costs. Oceanside passed a ½ cent sales tax increase in 2018 and renewed it in 2024. Plus, the County has a proposed measure (B) to increase the county-wide sales tax by another ½ cent. Together S and B would increase the sales tax from 8.25% to 9.25%. I can’t support that. I get that the City needs money for various projects, but it is all a matter of priority. If projects like the Pier infrastructure are important, then which lower priorities can be removed from the budget? Keep in mind that as the economy grows and we spend more on sales taxable merchandise, the city generates more revenue AT THE EXISTING 8.25% tax rate. Until I learn more about the City budget, I am a big No on S.