“We will fight,” chanted backers of local radio host Carl DeMaio and his drive to repeal the Senate Bill 1 gas tax.
But they won’t win.
With 93 percent of precincts reporting Wednesday morning, DeMaio’s Proposition 6 was trailing by more than 10 percentage points.
Tuesday night, DeMaio made the interview rounds, trying to explain the defeat.
“The media … shares part of the blame,” he told KUSI. “Some media outlets ignored the false and misleading ballot title. They’re going to have to explain to their listeners and their readers and their viewers why they did not blow the whistle on this.”
DeMaio wanted it to say: “Gas Tax Repeal Initiative,” the way it was circulated for petition signatures. Instead, the measure was titled “Prop 6: Eliminates Certain Road Repair and Transportation Funding.”
So what will the former San Diego City Council member and congressional candidate do next?
“We’re focused on repealing the gas tax,” he told Times of San Diego at Golden Hall, “and we’re focused on ending the practice of politicians lying to us on the ballot by changing the ballot titles. Everything’s on the table.”
He said he’d look at launching new ballot measures.
“We’re looking at recalls — whatever it takes to make sure that we can give power back to the people,” he said. (In late October, he said if Prop. 6 lost, he’d seek to recall Democratic Attorney General Xavier Becerra.)
What accounted for the loss besides the ballot title?
“We were outspent 20-to-1,” he said.
DeMaio said he’d return to his KOGO platform.
“I was on the radio today. I’ll be on the radio tomorrow.” he said. “It gives me the opportunity every day for three hours to talk to San Diegans about what is on their mind. … The gas tax was certainly one of those hot issues.”
Other high profile propositions on rent control and tax breaks for senior citizens were also losing.
Proposition 10: Local rent control permitted
The measure was trailing badly — 62 percent no to 38 percent yes.
Proposition 5: Taxes lowered for over-55 home buyers
No led yes 58 percent to 42 percent.
Proposition 1: $4 billion housing, veterans bonds
Yes led no 54 percent to 46 percent.
Proposition 2: $2 billion homeless bonds
Yes led no 61 percent to 39 percent.
Proposition 3: $8.9 billion water bonds
No led yes 52 percent to 48 percent.
Proposition 4: $1.5 billion children’s hospital bonds
Yes led no 61 percent to 39 percent.
Proposition 7: Permanent Daylight Saving Time
Yes led no to 60 percent to 40 percent.
Proposition 8: Dialysis clinic profits limited
No led yes 62 percent to 38 percent.
Proposition 11: Ambulance worker breaks
Yes led no 60.5 percent to 39.5 percent.
Proposition 12: Ranch animal cage sizes
Yes led no 61 percent to 39 percent.
Updated at 7:10 a.m. Nov. 7, 2018
