Lawson-Remer and Faulconer clash over homelessness, housing and more in race for District 3 county supervisor – San Diego Union-Tribune

In the competitive race for District 3 County Supervisor, incumbent County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer faced off this week at a public forum to highlight some of the region's most pressing issues, from housing development to the homelessness crisis.

The race for the coastal seat is one of the most important local elections on Nov. 5, as Lawson-Remer is fighting not only to represent nearly 664,000 people between Carlsbad and Coronado, but also to maintain the Democratic majority on the body against her Republican challenger.

The hour-long forum, held Monday at the Carlsbad Windmill, was the first and only time both candidates stood together on stage before the election to speak in person to their potential voters.

During Monday's debate – moderated by Coast News Group reporter Claire Strong and hosted by the Carlsbad, Encinitas and Solana Beach Chambers of Commerce – both candidates took swipes at the other's “failures” during his time in office.

Lawson-Remer said her vision for the county includes “safe schools, clean water, clean air and clean streets” and she is running for re-election to continue taking action on climate, homelessness and the housing crisis.

“We've made great strides in addressing some issues that I think affect people who are parents and are really important to us,” she said.

Faulconer, who left City Hall in 2020, disagreed, saying he decided to run for local office again because he felt the region was “moving in the wrong direction because we haven't had the leadership of San Diego County for the last four years.”

“We need someone who is committed,” he said. “We need action.”

Their debate mainly revolved around homelessness.

Faulconer pointed to a rise in homelessness, which he blamed on the leadership of Lawson-Remer and other current supervisors, and argued that the county needs a region-wide plan with all 18 cities to provide resources and services.

He also promised to clear a large camp on the San Diego River below Interstate 5 not far from Sea World – a promise that Lawson-Remer balked at.

“The idea that he can come in as a supervisor and just clear the camp shows that he doesn't understand what the jurisdiction of the County Board is,” she said, pointing out that the camp is under the jurisdiction of the city of San Diego. “You're not running for mayor of the city of San Diego, you're running for the Board of Supervisors.”

Lawson-Remer claimed the county received a $17 million state grant to house people from the site in shelters or apartments, while Faulconer stressed it doesn't matter whose jurisdiction the camp is in.

“You don't need $17 million … to clean up a huge homeless encampment in the San Diego River; what you need is the political will to go out there and do it,” he said.

Lawson-Remer pointed to the county's ongoing efforts to provide more emergency shelters and increased investments in mental health services, which she said were among the root causes of the crisis.

Both candidates agreed that the region is in a housing crisis and stressed the importance of more affordable housing.

Faulconer proposed replacing what he called a “draconian” county standard for residential development – the so-called vehicle miles driven guidelines, which aim to limit development in areas where more car traffic is needed.

“Instead, we now have a de facto moratorium on the housing market in San Diego County,” he said. “If we don't increase supply and make our region more affordable, we will continue to drive more people out of San Diego County.”

Lawson-Remer reiterated how the county is working to simplify the permitting process and create affordable housing on its land and pledged to continue that work.

Originally published: September 19, 2024 at 10:38 p.m.