Field of candidates growing for Oceanside mayor

Two incumbent council members and two former council members are on the growing list of candidates for the office of Oceanside mayor.

Councilman Jack Feller became the latest to go on record with his announcement Thursday. The official filing period for the November 2020 presidential election doesn’t open until July 13, and much could change by then, but there’s sure to be a lengthy ballot including multiple local offices and measures.

“I want to see projects that I’ve worked hard to bring forward come to fruition,” said Feller, who’s been on the council since 2000. As an example, he cited the long-planned El Corazon aquatics complex, a $20 million effort that could start construction by the end of this year, and he said the health and safety of residents will continue to be his No. 1 priority.

His fellow council member Esther Sanchez, also first elected in 2000, made her intention to run for mayor known earlier.

“I’ve been leading from behind,” Sanchez said by phone Thursday. “But there are certain issues you just can’t lead on from behind ... This is the first time the office has been open in 20 years, and it’s time for me to step up.”

Mayor Jim Wood held the job with strong support for more than 13 years. He resigned at the end of 2017 because of ill health after being re-elected with 63 percent of the vote, and the council appointed former City Manager Peter Weiss as Wood’s replacement.

Weiss said Thursday he will not run for mayor, and he’s undecided about whether he will seek the District 4 council seat in 2020.

“I probably will wait until after the first of the year to decide,” Weiss said.

Two people so far, Jane Marshall and Michelle Gomez, have formed campaign committees to run in District 4, records show. Only one person, Amber Newman, has filed the paperwork indicating a possible campaign in District 3, the only other open council seat next year.

Other potential candidates for mayor who have filed campaign finance documents are: Rocky Chavez, a former Oceanside council member and state assemblyman; Jerry Kern, a former three-term Oceanside councilman; and Ruben Major, an Oceanside paramedic for 20 years and first-time candidate.

Major, in a Sept. 11 news release announcing his candidacy, states that he has a law degree and a master’s degree in military history, and that he intends to “set his sights” on the problem of homelessness, better funding for the fire department, and building the trust between residents and law enforcement.

Also up for election in November 2020 could be the seats of city clerk and city treasurer. However, that could change if voters approve a measure the City Council has said it plans to place on the March ballot to allow the city manager to appoint those two positions. If the appointment process is approved by voters, the terms of the present office holders would expire at the end of 2020.

City Clerk Zeb Navarro, who was appointed to the office in February, has said he intends to run for the seat if that opportunity is available. He assumed the office of former City Clerk Zack Beck, who resigned the part-time position to accept a full-time appointment as city clerk of Escondido. No one else has indicated an intention to run for the Oceanside city clerk job.

Former City Treasurer Rafe Trickey Jr. and current City Treasurer Victor Roy both have documents on file indicating they plan to run for that office in 2020. Trickey was appointed to the office in 2017 by the City Council, but lost the 2018 election for a two-year term to Roy.