What's Happening?
Larry Cohen, who previously served for five years as chief of staff for Representative Juan Vargas (D-San Diego), has been endorsed by the U-T Editorial Board for San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector. Cohen was appointed to the position by the county
Board of Supervisors in November after the retirement of longtime Treasurer Dan McAllister. He is currently facing challenger Shirley Nakawatase, a certified professional accountant. Nakawatase has criticized Cohen's fitness for the role, emphasizing her own background as a financial professional. However, the editorial board found Cohen to be better prepared to discuss the nonpartisan post and his plans for the office. Before his role as a congressional aide, Cohen spent 23 years in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries and also started his own businesses.
Why It's Important?
This endorsement highlights the transition of a former congressional staffer into a significant local financial leadership role. The San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector oversees an $18 billion investment portfolio and the collection of over $9 billion in annual property taxes, managing a staff of 125. The debate between Cohen and Nakawatase underscores differing views on the necessary qualifications for such a position: practical experience in government and business versus a professional accounting background. The editorial board's decision to back Cohen, despite his lack of a direct accounting certification, suggests a valuation of his diverse experience and demonstrated preparedness for the role's broader responsibilities, including upgrading financial systems and maintaining credit ratings. This election will determine the leadership of a critical financial office responsible for a substantial portion of the county's fiscal health.
What's Next?
The election for San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector will proceed, with voters deciding between Larry Cohen and Shirley Nakawatase. The U-T Editorial Board's endorsement provides a significant boost to Cohen's campaign, but Nakawatase's emphasis on her professional accounting credentials will likely continue to be a central theme in her efforts to sway voters. The outcome will determine who manages the county's vast financial operations and implements future fiscal policies. The new treasurer will face ongoing challenges, including addressing backlogs in property tax processing and modernizing financial systems, as highlighted by Cohen during his interview.
Beyond the Headlines
The contest for San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector reflects a broader trend in local politics where individuals with diverse professional backgrounds, including those from congressional offices, seek public office. Cohen's career trajectory from pharmaceuticals and biotech to a chief of staff role and now a financial leadership position illustrates the varied paths to public service. This situation also raises questions about the perceived value of different types of experience in public administration—whether specialized technical expertise or broader managerial and governmental experience is more crucial for effective leadership in complex financial roles. The public's decision will indicate which set of qualifications they prioritize for safeguarding and managing significant public funds.
