This week, the Voice of San Diego crew was joined by Joey Safchik, host of NBC San Diego's "Politically Speaking," and there was a lot to get through!

First, a bittersweet news update. Reporter Jakob McWhinney broke a story last week about an organization embedded in San Diego's law enforcement community that hired a controversial figure. After the outrage, the hire got rescinded. But it didn't stop there – the whole organization has since dissolved entirely. No one says you can’t redeem yourself, but in the end you have to own what got you there. 

Also on the show: Our intern Naomi Granata released an article revealing the staggering amount Airbnb spent on lobbying in San Diego, all to kill a proposed tax on vacation rentals and vacant second homes. We dug through the numbers. 

Finally, we dive into the midterm election ballot.

We covered a few races worth watching:
48th Congressional District: Democrat Marni Von Wilpert faces Republican Jim Desmond in one of ten House races nationally that could flip control of Congress.
State Senate, District 40: Former City Attorney Mara Elliot and nonprofit leader Kristie Bruce-Lane, who’s backed by controversial conservative Carol DeMaio, battle it out to replace termed-out Republican Brian Jones.
San Diego City Council, District 2: Former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey faces off against Deputy City Attorney Nicole Crosby. Bailey just confirmed he voted for Trump in 2024. Could that have an impact on voters? 
San Diego City Council, District 4: Incumbent Henry Foster is challenged by political outsider Martha Abraham, who's making the case that a Foster win could leave the council without a single woman.
Prop 40:The billionaire tax — a one-time, 5 percent tax on California's billionaires to fund healthcare. This would be the first time the state has ever taxed assets, as opposed to income and property. It’s complicated and many people are split on it. 

 

This week, the Voice of San Diego crew was joined by Joey Safchik, host of NBC San Diego's "Politically Speaking," and there was a lot to get through!
First, a bittersweet news update. Reporter Jakob McWhinney broke a story last week about an organization embedded in San Diego's law enforcement community that&nbsp;<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/08/28/ex-deputy-convicted-of-assaulting-women-now-chaplain-for-christian-cop-group/">hired a controversial figure</a>. After the outrage, the hire <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/09/02/ex-deputy-convicted-of-assaulting-women-out-at-christian-group/">got rescinded</a>. But it didn't stop there &ndash; the whole organization has since dissolved entirely. No one says you can&rsquo;t redeem yourself, but in the end you have to own what got you there.&nbsp;
Also on the show: Our intern Naomi Granata released an article revealing <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/09/08/airbnbs-spending-against-one-tax-made-up-a-quarter-of-san-diego-expenditure-lobbying-since-2019/">the staggering amount Airbnb spent on lobbying</a> in San Diego, all to kill a proposed tax on vacation rentals and vacant second homes. We dug through the numbers.&nbsp;
Finally, we dive into the midterm election ballot.
We covered a few races worth watching:
<ul>
<li>48th Congressional District: Democrat Marni Von Wilpert faces Republican Jim Desmond in one of ten House races nationally that could flip control of Congress.</li>
<li>State Senate, District 40: Former City Attorney Mara Elliot and nonprofit leader Kristie Bruce-Lane, who&rsquo;s backed by controversial conservative Carol DeMaio, battle it out to replace termed-out Republican Brian Jones.</li>
<li>San Diego City Council, District 2: Former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey faces off against Deputy City Attorney Nicole Crosby. Bailey just confirmed he voted for Trump in 2024. Could that have an impact on voters?&nbsp;</li>
<li>San Diego City Council, District 4: Incumbent Henry Foster is challenged by political outsider Martha Abraham, who's making the case that a Foster win could leave the council without a single woman.</li>
<li>Prop 40:The billionaire tax &mdash; a one-time, 5 percent tax on California's billionaires to fund healthcare. This would be the first time the state has ever taxed assets, as opposed to income and property. It&rsquo;s complicated and many people are split on it.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

This is Voice of San Diego’s weekly spitfire roundup of news. We cover local and regional politics, the environment, education, the border and more. This show features our investigative reporting and interviews with lawmakers and other special guests.

This is Voice of San Diego&rsquo;s weekly spitfire roundup of news. We cover local and regional politics, the environment, education, the border and more. This show features our investigative reporting and interviews with lawmakers and other special guests.