Who should replace Bruce Gibson? Here’s our choice for North Coast supervisor | Opinion

For the first time in two decades, Bruce Gibson’s name is not on the ballot — but he is still a factor in the District 2 supervisor election.

That race could come down to whether or not North Coast voters want a candidate closely aligned with Gibson, or are ready for a change.

Whatever the outcome, they are fortunate to have two strong candidates in Jim Dantona and Michael Erin Woody.

Both men have impressive resumes that include experience in private and public sectors, are up-to-speed on major issues and have strong community ties.

Offshore wind is a key concern

Energy and environment have emerged as key issues — not surprising given that Morro Bay has been proposed as a location for offshore wind support facilities.

This is one area where the candidates differ.

They both oppose offshore oil drilling, but Woody is equally adamant that offshore wind facilities and battery storage do not belong on the North Coast.

“I am sick and tired of watching this region, and specifically Morro Bay, being used as the dumping ground for the energy industries,” he said at a League of Women Voters forum

Dantona said he’s open to having a conversation about where they should be located — though he added that offshore wind is looking less likely given the Trump administration’s opposition.

Is Dantona another Bruce Gibson?

Dantona joined Gibson’s office as chief of staff six months ago, after a long stint as president/CEO of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce.

He is widely regarded as Gibson’s heir apparent, but those expecting a Gibson clone may be disappointed — or pleasantly surprised, depending on their feelings about the current supervisor.

Gibson can be prickly; he is known for his surgical takedowns of political opponents. Detractors claim he gives off an “I’m-the-smartest-person-in-the-room” vibe.

Dantona comes across as laid-back, with a friendly, self-deprecating style that makes him instantly relatable.

It’s not just temperament that separates them; Gibson and Dantona are not 100% aligned on the issues.

Take the controversial Dana Reserve in Nipomo — one of the largest residential developments in county history. Gibson voted against it. Dantona says he would have voted to approve it, as did Woody.

Like Gibson, Dantona is a strong Democrat. Standing up to Donald Trump is a key message of his campaign, especially when it comes to fighting the president’s push to increase offshore oil production on the Central Coast.

From Republican to independent

Woody, on the other hand, is a political maverick.

He voted for Trump in 2016 — after previously voting for Barack Obama and Bill Clinton — but left the GOP in 2019 and is no longer affiliated with a political party.

“I felt that the Republican Party establishment cared more about anger and unquestioning allegiance than what it historically stood for under Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt. When I saw this, I felt the only honest thing I could do is walk away,” he told The Tribune Editorial Board.

Before he left the GOP, Woody ran for Congress in 2018 against Democrat Salud Carbajal, but lost in the primary.

The Santa Barbara Independent described Woody’s congressional campaign like this: “His ideas combine textbook Republicanism (cut taxes and regulation) and Trumpism (sanctuary-state repeal and climate-science denial) with libertarianism on social issues.

Now Dantona is attacking Woody over statements he made in 2018.

In a flyer, he accuses his opponent of wanting local law enforcement to work with ICE; of pushing to arm teachers with guns; and of supporting more oil drilling.

Woody is pushing back.

“Every one of those comments is either taken completely out of context or has a set of circumstances that has changed,” he responded, “most notably with watching the shooting of a woman by ICE agents, along with the shooting of an unarmed man.”

“I’m not perfect,” he added. “... I’ll make mistakes, and at times my information will not be right. That’s when I need people to point out where I’m missing pieces to the puzzle.”

Sure, Woody could be a closet Republican who will do a 180 once he’s elected, but we don’t buy that.

We have to trust that someone’s political beliefs can evolve in response to changing circumstances and new information.

Our endorsement

Based on our evaluation of where the candidates stand today — not eight or 10 or 15 years ago — The Tribune Editorial Board endorses Woody for District 2 supervisor.

While we don’t always agree with him — our views on energy are closer to Dantona’s, for example — we appreciate the thoughtful and thorough way he analyzes issues.

As a licensed civil engineer who runs his own business, he has the technical skill to analyze projects that come before the board, along with first-hand knowledge of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs.

He has a long history of political and social activism that includes representing his Salinan Tribe of Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties before various state and federal agencies.

And his nonpartisan perspective is refreshing in an era when politics at the most local of levels — we’re talking school boards, city councils and boards of supervisors — has become a red vs. blue battleground. We believe Woody could help bridge the gap between Democrats and Republicans that has loomed so large in San Luis Obispo County.

Voters in District 2 have the opportunity to put San Luis Obispo County on a new, more collaborative path by electing Michael Erin Woody.