Local Ex-Mayor Explores Independent Run for Congress' 52nd District

Is there a place for a true independent in Congress?

Jack Doyle thinks there might be, and he wants to know if others think so as well.

Doyle thinks the voters in the  52nd Congressional District, which includes Coronado, might want an alternative to Port Commissioner and former San Diego Councilman Scott Peters, his fellow Democrat, former state Assemblywoman Lori Saldana, and incumbent Brian Bilbray.

Doyle, no political Johnny-come-lately with idealistic stars in his eyes, is officially exploring the possibility of getting into the race with a “volunteer-driven campaign, without PAC money,” and free from any political party.

The first directly elected mayor in Santee’s history, Doyle served two terms, from 1984 to 1992.

He was also Chairman of SANDAG – the San Diego Association of Governments.

Politically, he’s been there and done that. So why is he considering throwing his hat back in the ring?

Mainly, disgust with both major political parties.

“Both parties have talked the game, but have done little,” said Doyle.

“The Democrats seem to believe in fairy-tale financing, and the Republicans depend on fear and fabrication,” the ex-Democrat said.

Doyle sees himself as someone who might at least be able to start an honest debate, and keep it going.

“We need to talk seriously about a lot of things. We need to talk about real tax reform, but we also need to talk about preserving badly needed entitlements, too. The political scene is so polarized right now that people are talking AT each other, but they’re not even trying to talk TO each other,” he said.

Although Doyle says his potential opponents have some baggage, he’s not really into talking about that stuff just yet – if ever.

Doyle says his position would be as a “true independent,” not a closet Democrat, not a stealth Republican, not a secret Libertarian.

(The conversation about the difficulties inherent in that position can be had at a later time, if Doyle does go ahead and make his run.)

Right now, what Doyle wants is to find out if there are enough like-minded people in the 52nd District to support him in a real way, meaning financially as well as philosophically.

His former Congressional home district can’t help him with votes this time. The new 52nd does not include Santee.

Doyle has about a month to gauge support before the filing deadline to enter the race. If there’s enough, he’ll probably do it. The goal: to determine if he can defeat two of the others in the field, all who have greater name recognition, and make it to the general election.

Doyle has a website, JackDoyle4congress.com, with more information about his current life, as well as his history, training and education.

He points out one factor that may endear him to voters.

“Look, I’m in a position where I definitely don’t need the job. I’m looking at this because our political system is broken right now, and we need to start trying to fix it.”