Two new members will sit on the La Mesa-Spring Valley Board of Education because of help from young La Mesa political strategist Max Coston.
Coston, a college student earning his degree in political science online through Arizona State University, got his start in politics while advocating for gun safety and gun violence prevention policy. His passion for the issue began as he witnessed gun violence become more common.
“I was in elementary school when Sandy Hook happened, I was in high school when Parkland happened,” said Coston. “I’m part of a generation that has experienced gun violence throughout our lives. There’s nothing else to do besides say ‘no more.’”
It was in doing this work that he met Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-51), who asked him to apply for an internship with her campaign team. Coston worked with her over the course of two election seasons. The mentors he had during this time inspired him to get more involved with campaigning and politics.
Coston then went on to work with politicians like Dave Myers, who ran for sheriff, and Congressman Scott Peters before he started his own company, SP Strategies.
“Looking at San Diego democratic politics, there are not many consulting groups,” said Coston. “While there are some really good ones, at a certain point, firms are at capacity and can’t help any more candidates, especially in down-ballot elections.”
“Down-ballot” refers to races that are lower on the ballot, such as school board or city council elections. Coston believed these votes need more attention.
“We need to put people in those seats who are supportive of the community,” said Coston. “That’s why I created SP Strategies. We need people who can do that work for the community, who can put in that work without caring what their future in politics looks like.”
The ultimate goal of Coston’s firm is to provide candidates running at any level of race with support because navigating the political process can be difficult.
Recently, SP Strategies supported three Democratic candidates running for seats on La Mesa-Spring Valley.
One of those candidates, Rebecca McRae, was running for reelection while Brianna Coston and Caitlin Tiffany ran for the first time.
Coston said the large amount of community support they received early on helped them run a robust campaign that involved knocking on doors, making phone calls, sending text messages, and creating social media and television ads.
All three candidates were ultimately elected, which changed the board to a Democratic majority.
– Natali Gonzalez is an MA student in rhetoric and writing studies at San Diego State University. See more of her work at: thedailyaztec.com/staff/_name/natali-gonzalez/.
