Op-Ed: Why do Zubia’s Allies Avoid the Issues?

The opinion pages have been busy this election — and the pattern is impossible to ignore.

Residents who support Barry Graham and Michelle Ugenti-Rita — or the many who have doubts about Raoul Zubia — are focusing on the issues: the connection between high-density apartments and water security, short-term rentals, neighborhood safety, the Bar District, and civility, along with an out-of-state super PAC spending huge sums to tip the election.

Zubia’s supporters have taken different approaches, like using cruel labels, mean-spirited innuendo, and whataboutisms that never quite answer the question that was asked. Some are recounting that Mr. Zubia was born here, that he’s friendly, and that he cares.

If this election were only about candidates’ roots, it would be a toss-up. They all grew up here and graduated from local high schools: Graham from Chaparral, Ugenti-Rita from Desert Mountain, Zubia from Coronado.

If this election were only about character and temperament, Graham and Ugenti-Rita would be voters’ choices. Not only have their campaigns been more civil, but they’ve both been under relentless attacks from the same out-of-state special interests promoting Zubia.

However, since this election is about the issues, that’s what matters: who is writing the checks to campaigns, what gets built, who will secure our water, and who will protect our neighborhoods. Graham and Ugenti-Rita are the candidates whose supporters are willing to debate the issues. Zubia’s allies are not.

Voters should watch who’s discussing the issues — and who keeps changing the subject.