The editorial viewpoint of the Daily Post.
We’re recommending David Canepa for San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk Recorder and Chief Elections Officer.
Canepa’s time on the Board of Supervisors has shown us to be a creative thinker who looks outside of the box (and county norms) for solutions, and we like that about him, even if it can get him in trouble with his fellow supervisors. While we wish he was running for something where he can use his creativity to really make a splash, we think he will be able guide the office into a new chapter.
Canepa has clearly been studying the position, and but admits he has a lot to learn about going from having a staff of three people to leading multiple departments with 167 employees. It’s comforting he has a plan to make sure the agency continues to run smoothly.
We’re troubled that Canepa’s opponent, Jim Irizarry, currently the No. 2 in the Election’s office, didn’t understand or know which party he was registered with for 19 years. You’d think someone in charge of elections would know what party they were registered under.
It also appears Irizarry is the pick for the standard-bearers in San Mateo County, with Canepa’s peers on the Board of Supervisors endorsing Irizarry because he isn’t Canepa. That’s not enough for us.
We think it’s time the office gets a breath of fresh air with Canepa.
An editorial that prioritizes an interesting perspective. To an extent, Canepa’s political path resembles that of one of his predecessors, Mike Nevin. One might think that Canepa should have considered a better fit for himself than a position in which his only qualification is described as a creative, outside-the-box thinker. Say for instance, Canepa might have a better fit as the Service League Director, if the timing had been correct, based on his fundraising abilities and knowledge of integrations with the County, especially as a funding source, as well as working within County budgets. Alternatively, and largely for the same reasons, perhaps the Director of the Sheriff’s Activity League would be a better fit for Canepa.
Although those two positions likely do not have the income and retirement benefits that could be the central decision-making factor that has led Canepa to again seek an elected office. Altruism does have its place, yet finding the best qualified candidate should be the metric for an elected position in the County. Did the county and voters learn nothing from the Corpus Cartel fiasco about finding the best and most qualified candidate for an elected position? I hope that a duplicate reform effort does not again plague the County. Nonetheless that Assessor-County Clerk Recorder and Chief Elections Officer race is one to watch as the election approaches, and to monitor after the election.
In my opinion Canepa is a typical politician and he has zero experience in the position that he is running for. Jim has a proven record and the experience. Most importantly Jim is not beholden to any Union or establishment large donors as his opponent is. Canepa was the protégé of disgraced convict former Senator Leland Yee . not really a great mentor.
I would not trust them to be in charge of our elections.
As another reader said, it sounds to me like Mr. Canepa would claim to be qualified for any job, as long as that job has the pay and benefits that meet his needs.
To say that “Canepa had been studying the position” compared to someone who has been doing the job for 10+ years is almost an insult to the intelligence of the voters. And to undermine the fact that his colleagues don’t support him is baffling to me.