Anthony DiMartino
Candidate for City Council Member, Escondido, District 2
Anthony DiMartino was born at the former Palomar Hospital and is a lifelong Escondido and North County resident who attended school in San Marcos. He has worked as Government Affairs Director for the nonprofit Californians for Safety and Justice for seven years, following 11 years in state government policy and budget advocacy. He has worked in neighborhood development for the city of Long Beach and in the Gang Reduction and Youth Development Office for the city of Los Angeles, and served as a legislative aide and legislative director for then-Assemblymember Shirley Weber, now California's Secretary of State. He also teaches policy advocacy at San Diego State University.
Positions in brief
DiMartino is campaigning on securing more homelessness funding for Escondido, supporting small businesses, government transparency, and opposition to the city's ICE contract.
DiMartino says Escondido has missed out on the state and county homelessness funding that coastal cities have received, and wants the city to pursue that funding rather than rely on the transit center as an explanation for homelessness; he points to high housing costs as a bigger driver. He supports reducing regulatory red tape and partnering with the business community, and investing in parks, arts, and youth programs. He opposed the city's contract allowing ICE agents to train at Escondido's firing range, saying the council's vote signaled it wasn't willing to take a stand, and has criticized the city's lack of transparency on such decisions.
On the issues
Wants Escondido to pursue state and county homelessness funding that coastal cities have already received.
“On the coast several cities have received millions to address homelessness. Escondido has not.”
Source →Supports reducing regulatory red tape and partnering with the business community.
“reducing red tape, partnership with the business community”
Source →- Infrastructure & Transportation
Prioritizes investment in parks, arts, and youth programs that support families and neighborhoods.
“parks, arts and youth programs that help families and neighborhoods thrive”
Source → Opposed the city's contract allowing ICE agents to train at Escondido's firing range.
“That vote signaled they were not willing to take a stand, even though that stand wouldn't prevent ICE from coming.”
Source →Criticizes a lack of transparency in city decision-making and calls for a more responsive City Hall.
Source →
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