Incumbent Eve Hinton or Erica Baltodano for SLO school board? Here’s our endorsement | Opinion
In the San Luis Coastal Unified School District, voters will decide on just one seat; both Chris Ungar and Brian Clausen are running unopposed and will be appointed to another four-year term.
In Trustee Area 6, which includes the Sinsheimer, Los Ranchos and parts of the Hawthorne neighborhood, incumbent Eve Hinton faces a challenge from attorney Erica Flores Baltodano, who is dean of the San Luis Obispo College of Law.
‘NOT an Attorney’
Hinton, who chose not to meet with The Tribune Editorial Board, describes herself as “The Conservative Choice!” on her website.
She also offers this description, under the heading “What to know about Eve.”
“NOT an Attorney”
“NOT a political activist”
“Not Special interest groups”
“A 25-year Bilingual Teacher”
Her teaching career is admirable, but that in and of itself does not qualify Hinton for school board, just as being an attorney or a political activist does not disqualify someone for the office.
In fact, it’s hard to imagine a first-time candidate better qualified for school board than Baltodano.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhy do we endorse?
Making endorsements during election season is an important role for newspaper editorial boards, including The Tribune Editorial Board. Elections are key to determining the future of our Central Coast region, and through endorsements, we share our opinion of the qualifications of the candidates and recommend those who would best serve our communities.
Due to the large number of races on the 2024 General Election ballot, we are unable to issue endorsements in every race. We chose to focus on the most competitive contests.
For more about our process, click the arrow on the top right.
Who endorses?
Endorsement decisions are made by Editor Joe Tarica and Opinion Editor Stephanie Finucane.
How do we decide?
Candidates are invited to participate in an interview with The Editorial Board where they are asked a series questions about major issues. It’s our opportunity to learn the candidates’ positions and to gauge how well informed they are about issues they are likely to confront if elected.
We also research voting records of candidates who have held public office; we watch candidate forums; we look at back stories from The Tribune, as well as other publications that have covered the candidates; and we examine public documents. We also take a look at the candidates’ advertising and campaign statements. Are they overpromising, for example, or misrepresenting their opponent’s record?
In the case of ballot measures, we study the background of the issue, the pro and con arguments and consider who is supporting and opposing the measure.
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Baltodano’s resume
She has two children who attended district schools and has filled a variety of roles: classroom volunteer, guest speaker, adviser to the district superintendent and founding member of the San Luis Coastal Education Foundation, which has done excellent work.
Some examples: It sponsors an after-school team sports program at elementary schools; covers the cost of science camp for students who might not otherwise be able to attend; and through its NextGen Scholars program, assists college-bound students who need financial help in paying fees for Advanced Placement exams and college applications.
“There are small barriers to success and barriers to access to college and career readiness that can be really, really big and can really derail a student’s dreams and goals, and so I think all of those things are important,” Baltodano told The Tribune Editorial Board.
Her expertise isn’t confined to the classroom and the courtroom.
She is an advocate for public parks — she serves on the advisory council of Parks California; she’s a county Civil Service commissioner; and she’s a board adviser to the San Luis Obispo Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
In her political campaigning, Baltodano has been well-organized, accessible and enthusiastic — exactly the traits she will bring to the school board.
Hinton’s history
Hinton’s election in 2020 was an upset. She ousted 20-year incumbent Walt Millar by 6 percentage points, but her win was controversial.
Hinton, whose last name was then Dobler-Drew, was criticized for posting a video associated with a QAnon conspiracy theory; sharing misinformation about Black Lives Matter protests on social media; and falsely accusing philanthropist Melinda Gates of being satanic. She also shared a YouTube video on Facebook promoting the Changed Movement, which encourages people to “overcome” their LGBTQ+ sexual orientation or gender identity through therapy and religious support, according to Tribune reporting at the time.
Heidi Harmon, who was then mayor of San Luis Obispo, called on her step down. So did the editor of the SLO High student-run newspaper.
Time magazine included her in an April 16, 2021, article headlined, “QAnon Candidates Are Winning Local Elections. Can They Be Stopped?”
Hinton responded by saying that the posts — which she had deleted — were “past history” and told a Tribune reporter that she was beginning a new phase of her life.
That may be so, but those who were offended by her behavior may have a hard time forgetting. And despite what she says, we have an equally hard time believing she doesn’t still harbor radical, divisive beliefs.
San Luis Coastal students do not benefit from a trustee who may question their gender identity or think we need to protect white people from discrimination.
This is an easy choice.
Baltodano will be an asset to the district, rather than an embarrassment.
The Tribune Editorial Board strongly endorses Erica Flores Baltodano for the San Luis Coastal School District Board of Trustees.
This story was originally published September 15, 2024 at 5:00 AM.