Residency, a local minimum wage and the election’s impact on City Hall politics were the highlights Tuesday night as Chris Cate and Carol Kim faced off at a forum sponsored by Asian-American community groups.
Cates, who lives in the district but still owns a condominium in Carlsbad, said he was the victim of “goofy accusations” because he was born and raised in San Diego. “I know this community. I love this area,” he told the approximately 100 people in attendance.
Kim, who raised the residency question last week, said she has put down deep roots in the district. “This is where I put down my roots and I’m raising my family,” she said.
The two candidates in the race to represent the 6th District on the City Council met in the second of four planned debates. The event at Mira Mesa High School was sponsored by the Asian Business Association, Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs, CEPA Net, the Hom Family Fund and Operation Samahan.
In answer to a question about the local minimum wage ordinance, both candidates cited their small business backgrounds in arguments for and against.
“Every small business has a front door and needs customers,” said Kim, whose family operates a small business. She said she would have voted for the ordinance because it would have had a “net positive outcome.”
Cate said that while it is expensive to live in San Diego, a small business like his auto-glass repair is “struggling to make ends meet.” He said he would have voted against the ordinance.
The ordinance was approved by the council over Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s veto, but now faces a public ballot after a business-backed petition campaign.
The race is non-partisan, but Cate is a Republican and Kim a Democrat. If Cate wins the typically veto-proof Democratic margin of 6-3 would be reduced to 5-4. Cate said this would make for a “very strong council” but pointed out that 90 percent of votes are 9-0 in any case.
Kim said that if she is elected, “my first appoach is always to work together.”
The forum was moderated by Chris Jennewein, editor and publisher of Times of San Diego.
District 6 includes Kearny Mesa, Mira Mesa, Miramar, Clairemont and parts of Rancho Penasquitos. It is the only contested council race.
