Kent Lee
Candidate for City Council Member, San Diego, District 6
Kent Lee represents San Diego's District 6 on the City Council and previously served as executive director of Pacific Arts Movement, a nonprofit media arts organization that runs the San Diego Asian Film Festival. He has more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience, both professionally and as a volunteer, with multiple San Diego organizations, and previously served on the Mira Mesa Community Planning Group. District 6 is now more than 40% Asian American and Pacific Islander and is considered the AAPI empowerment seat. Lee cites accomplishments including repaving more than 95 miles of roads, repairing more than 23,000 potholes, resolving more than 1,100 streetlight issues, and directing about $70 million toward projects including the Gold Coast Drive reconstruction, Marcy Park improvements, Mira Mesa Community Park upgrades, the Epicentre Youth Center revitalization, and South University City Library updates.
Positions in brief
Lee's stated priorities, in order, are housing attainability, neighborhood services and infrastructure, fiscal accountability and transparency, public safety, economic growth and small-business support, addressing homelessness, and continued investment in the Convoy district.
On housing, Lee calls attainability 'the biggest challenge for San Diego families' and points to an affordable-housing preservation fund, updated community plans, permitting improvements, the conversion of 101 Ash Street into 250 affordable homes, and an affordable-housing impact fee on short-term rentals. On neighborhood services, he cites over 95 miles of roads repaved and $70 million directed to park and facility upgrades. On the budget, he wants to re-establish a Chief Operating Officer position and has opposed rate increases he says lack transparency. He also lists public safety, economic growth for small businesses, a comprehensive approach to homelessness, and continued investment in Convoy's cultural district among his priorities.
On the issues
Supports streamlining permitting, updating land-use policies, and encouraging smart growth to increase attainable housing.
“Housing attainability remains the biggest challenge for San Diego families.”
Source →Prioritizes reliable neighborhood infrastructure, including road repaving and pothole repair.
“reliable, high-quality neighborhood services and infrastructure”
Source →Wants greater fiscal accountability and transparency at City Hall, including re-establishing a Chief Operating Officer role.
“The City must restore public trust through greater fiscal accountability and transparency.”
Source →Supports first responders alongside prevention and community-based public-safety solutions.
Source →Supports predictable permitting and regulations to support small and neighborhood-serving businesses.
Source →Supports a comprehensive homelessness strategy from prevention through long-term housing.
“comprehensive approach—from prevention to shelter to long-term housing solutions”
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.