Written by Nicholas Vetrisek
Recently, San Diego Union-Tribune columnist Michael Smolens authored a piece claiming that Republican Party of San Diego County Chairman Tony Krvaric is responsible for the loss of ground by Republicans in the county since he took office in 2007. The article blames him for circumstances clearly outside of his control, while downplaying and ignoring his achievements.
The idea that Krvaric is responsible for the loss of Republican control in San Diego is patently false. Changing demographics are a much more obvious and evident explanation than Smolens’ lazy attempt to scapegoat Krvaric’s outspoken support of Predient Trump.
Decades of substantial immigration will change the political landscape of any area, which is exactly what has happened. San Diego is one of the prime destinations for legal immigrants, who tend to vote overwhelmingly Democrat. Over 60% in fact, with only about 25% voting Republican. The increasing population of San Diego County includes immigrants who replaced the large amount of Republicans who left California because of high taxes and costs of living.
This demographic change explains much of the changing electoral outcomes, but returning back to Krvaric’s legacy, Smolens severely downplays his achievements.
The article briefly glosses over the Republican Party of San Diego County’s fundraising numbers in an attempt to downplay them, but they are a major indicator of Krvaric’s positive effect on the Party. “Under Tony’s leadership, the Republican Party of San Diego County is maybe the best-funded Republican party in the country,” explained Ron Nehring, who served as Chairman prior to Tony Krvaric.
Krvaric can’t control who comes to the county and who leaves, but the ability to fundraise is certainly one of the primary jobs of a political party chairman. If the local Republican Party is better funded than just about any regional party in the entire country, then that just about says it all.
In addition, the notion of the Republican Party losing the county is laughable. While the high profile seats such as the San Diego City Council are run by Democrats, the municipal down ballot seats remain dominated by Republicans—and this is no accident. Under Krvaric’s leadership, much focus has been put on winning lesser known races in cities across the county, and the success has been tremendous. Furthermore, the County Board of Supervisors continues to have a Republican majority, something unthinkable given the political demography of the county.
Smolens’ piece is nothing more than a lazy attempt to demoralize Republicans less than three months away from the election, while tarnishing the legacy of a man who has done an excellent job for the Party.
