Candidates for public office in the City of San Diego must be citizens of the United States and at least 18 years of age. In order to run for City Council office, a candidate must be a registered voter of the appropriate council district for at least 30 days prior to the date of filing nomination papers, and a resident in and registered voter of the district at the time of assuming the office. Mail-in ballots will be sent out in mid-May, and the primary election day is scheduled for Tuesday, June 5. San Diego Community Newspaper Group asked the seven candidates in the District 2 City Council primary race one question: “Why should someone vote for you?” 
Here are their responses: KEVIN D. MELTON (Retired businessman)
I’m ready to stand for what the district believes in. For too long, we have had City Council representatives with the belief that they will act in the best interest of the residents. Sadly, that is not always the case. 
I am running for the District 2 City Council seat because I want to bring honesty and integrity to the political process. It is time to solve the issues with the condition and safety of our community streets. The vacation rental and homelessness in the area will be resolved.
Our goal is to bring more businesses into San Diego and provide more resources for market rate employment for the residents.
Looking forward to serving the District 2 community. “Do what is right, not what is easy.” RANDY HAHN (Publisher/journalist/sales manager)
I am not the most seasoned politician, but I love this city and want to make a difference. I’ve lived in District 2 for 33 years and understand the old and new. My wife is an elementary school teacher for San Diego Unified and our two teenagers attend local public schools. I am a family man, your neighbor, and accessible.  BRYAN PEASE (Environmental attorney)
Pease is an environmental attorney and a legislation and land use expert, who has lived and worked for the public interest in San Diego for 14 years. Pease lives in Ocean Beach and served on the board of OB Peoples Organic Food Market for seven years, overseeing a $15M budget. He is pushing for evidence-based solutions to the homelessness crisis, better tenant protections, Community Choice Energy and restoring Mission Bay. See bryanpease.com for more. JORDAN BEANE (Small business owner)
I’m running for City Council to bring our beaches and bays the kind of leadership they deserve. As a director on the Pacific Beach Town Council, I know what the issues are that affect our community and how to tackle them. I promise to be a responsive representative who will work tirelessly to fix our infrastructure, resolve our STVR problem, put a dent in our housing crisis, and provide real solutions to our homeless epidemic.  JENNIFER CAMPBELL
(Medical doctor/professor)
“I decided to run for office for the first time after 30 years in medicine because of the city’s meager response to the hepatitis A outbreak. San Diegans deserve responsive and attentive government and I’m not here to run for a higher office, so no special interests can sway me. We face a housing crisis, chronic homelessness, a boom in unregulated short-term vacation rentals, and crumbling infrastructure. Vote for me to bring responsible, intelligent leadership to District 2. ” DANIEL (DANNY) SMIECHOWSKI
(Real estate agent/landlord)
I have been your neighbor for more than 50 years. We must elect a council member who will vote without prejudice, sticking to the facts. If you desire a politically correct and establishment type, then vote for someone else. I am a moderate, a centrist and I believe this city has too much political polarization. I will vote with both Republicans and Democrats offering a balance. I do not support rent control. I do support avoiding any more Prop. 13 tax assessments to your homes and lowering your out-of-control water bills. Also, this district needs less alcohol and more dog parks. We must regulate the shared bikes, especially in the beach areas. I am an old-fashioned Midwestern-born fiscally conservative Democrat, and will tell you the truth and not skirt the issues just to be elected. LORIE ZAPF (Incumbent city councilmember) 
As a San Diegan, my main concern is in ensuring that we all have safe, clean neighborhoods. I am proud of my record as a councilmember, having fought for critical community services, supported more funding for street repairs and worked to protect neighborhood character by supporting sensible regulations for short-term vacation rentals. As the councilmember representing the beaches and bays, I pledge to oppose any effort to allow oil drilling off our coast.