San Diego County Gun Owners (SDCGO), a political action committee promoting Second Amendment rights in San Diego County, has announced its endorsement of Laura Lothian in the Nov. 2 La Mesa City Council special election.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is crucial that voters elect solidly pro-Second Amendment candidates who will speak out and defend the fundamental right to self defense for law-abiding citizens, oppose an extremist gun-control agenda, and stand strong in support of the Second Amendment,\u201d said Michael Schwartz, executive director, SDCGO. \u201cWe proudly endorse Laura Lothian for this key race in La Mesa. Laura will protect and defend our Second Amendment rights. She has our complete and total endorsement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schwartz said a \u201cdrive-and-knock\u201d volunteer deployment will begin at 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 30, at 4731 Palm Ave., La Mesa. Volunteers will drive to homes and knock on selected home doors, said Schwartz, who added that SDCGO volunteers will be joined by Carl DeMaio and volunteers from Reform California, a political action committee chaired by DeMaio.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe outcome of this race will be decided by only a few hundred votes,\u201d said Schwartz. \u201cThis one city council seat will determine whether we have a pro-Second Amendment majority in La Mesa. San Diego County Gun Owners wants to send a message that infringing on our freedoms carries big consequences. We are committed to restoring and protecting our rights in California by getting volunteers involved in local level activism and outreach.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schwartz also said, \u201cIt is a privilege for would-be elected leaders to earn our endorsement. We are proud to support local candidates who believe the purpose of the Second Amendment as an important and valuable civil right. Electing the right leaders is the best way to make a difference and preserve our Second Amendment rights.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lothian, a Southern Californian for 40 years, has worked in La Mesa\u2019s real estate market since 2002. She serves on the La Mesa Village Association board of directors, which advocates for Downtown La Mesa businesses. She also has served on the boards of the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors and La Mesa Chamber of Commerce.<\/p>\n
She said her priorities, if elected, include keep communities safe, opposing tax hikes, supporting small businesses, cleaning up the streets and reducing homelessness.<\/p>\n
La Mesa\u2019s city council is looking to fill an open seat vacated by Akilah Weber, who left the council in April after she won a special election to replace her mother, Shirley Weber, as the representative for Assembly District 79, after Shirley Weber was named Secretary of State last December. Six candidates, including Lothian, appear on the mail-only Nov. 2 ballot. The winner will finish the remainder of Akilah Weber\u2019s term, which ends in November 2022. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters Office no later than Tuesday, Nov. 9, to be considered timely cast and counted.<\/p>\n
Founded in 2015, San Diego County Gun Owners is a registered political action committee (FPPC ID #1379388) and advocacy organization focused on organizing the gun industry and community and protecting the U.S. Constitution\u2019s Second Amendment right to bear arms. Based on its membership size of nearly 3,000 individuals, SDCGO is considered San Diego\u2019s largest registered PAC as well as civil rights organization. SDCGO features a diverse and inclusive membership with representatives from the LGBTQ, Latino, African American, Asian and Pacific Islander communities.<\/p>\n