The Tribune endorses Michael Woody for SLO County supervisor. Here’s what to know
For the first time in two decades, Bruce Gibson is not on the ballot for San Luis Obispo County’s District 2 supervisor seat.
And The Tribune Editorial Board is endorsing Michael Erin Woody over Jim Dantona in a race that could reshape the North Coast’s political direction.
FULL STORY: Who should replace Bruce Gibson? Here’s our choice for North Coast supervisor | Opinion
Here are key takeaways:
- The candidates: Both Woody and Dantona have strong resumes and community ties. Dantona, Gibson’s current chief of staff and former San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce CEO, is widely seen as Gibson’s heir apparent. Woody is a licensed civil engineer who runs his own business and represents his Salinan Tribe before state and federal agencies.
- Energy divide: Both oppose offshore oil drilling, but they split on renewables. Woody firmly opposes offshore wind facilities and battery storage on the North Coast, saying Morro Bay is being used as a “dumping ground for the energy industries.” Dantona is open to discussing locations for such facilities.
- Political backgrounds: Dantona is a strong Democrat who has made standing up to President Donald Trump a key campaign message. Woody is a political maverick who voted for Obama, Clinton and Trump in 2016, left the GOP in 2019 and is now unaffiliated.
- Campaign attacks: Dantona has criticized Woody over 2018 statements on ICE cooperation, arming teachers and oil drilling. Woody says the comments were taken out of context or reflect views that have since evolved.
- Why the endorsement: The board cited Woody’s thoughtful analysis, technical expertise as an engineer and nonpartisan perspective, saying he could help bridge the partisan divide in local politics — even though the board’s energy views align more closely with Dantona’s.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.