Kristine Alessio, 59, a Republican, is an attorney who works for a real estate developer and owns a self-storage business, and she is running for San Diego County supervisor in District 4.
A La Mesa native, she also previously served on the La Mesa City Council.
The San Diego Union-Tribune emailed a series of questions to Alessio and other candidates to help inform voters about their positions, priorities and plans if elected.
Alessio said she did not use artificial intelligence to assist in responding to the questionnaire.
1.) Why are you running, and what makes you the best candidate? (150 words max)
The county is no longer responding to the needs of its residents. Our leaders seem to be focused more on political grandstanding than serving the people. We need a supervisor who has real-world experience in business and in life.
As a former councilwoman for La Mesa and former SANDAG board member, I created consensus with colleagues around things that residents really care about. The missing 125/94 connector, for example — our community desperately needs it, and at SANDAG I pushed to include it in funding. Now finally it’s getting done.
With small businesses in Spring Valley and La Mesa, I can anticipate the kinds of needs, and I see a lot of needs not being met in the area. We need someone to get things done. I am that person.
2.) What are the top 3 issues facing this district and the county generally? (150 words max)
Affordability, responsibility and accountability.
The county should leverage its power to get the state to pause the gas tax; it should lean on the PUC to reduce energy costs. It should not be burdening residents with more taxes and more fees.
Our infrastructure is desperate in need of maintenance and updating. This includes roads, waterways, etc. The 2024 floods that ravaged the district were preventable; not maintaining the waterways in an era of changing climate is inexcusable. Ignoring necessary improvements to Highway 67 that would allow residents in Ramona a way to escape if another Cedar fire happened is inexcusable.
Government transparency is needed. The county’s budgets are virtually impossible to navigate online. Also, secret subcommittees are unacceptable. Sunlight is the disinfectant.
3.) What are the first 3 things you would do in office if elected? (150 words max)
Settle all of the lawsuits with the hundreds of flood victims whose lives were destroyed after the 2024 floods. Big Sacramento fighting ordinary people is not fair.
Fund infrastructure improvements, and put them at the front of the line for funding.
Staff my office with people who actually live and work in District 4. Start walks with a supervisor where once a week, residents can come take a walk with me, not chief of staff or office staff — me. I want to hear directly from residents. No hiding behind staff.
4.) What are your plans for combating homelessness? (150 words max)
We must lobby Sacramento to change the law so that those who are mentally ill or substance abusers can be forced into treatment. Homelessness and the crime it generates also must be top priorities — just giving people a place to live doesn’t work. We as a county must pressure the powers that be in Sacramento to make real changes allowing for those homeless people who are drug-addicted and/or mentally ill to be forced to go into treatment. Until that happens, nothing will change.
Give families, single mothers and students absolute priority over anyone else for housing.
5.) As supervisor, you’ll have a say in how the county overhauls its plan for housing development in unincorporated areas. What should the county do to combat its housing crisis? (150 words max)
Easy. The majority of costs associated with housing come from delays, which can overwhelm developers. Cut processing times as a start.
Housing will either create sprawl or stay in in the form of density. I am in favor of the latter, BUT the density cannot alter and disturb the character of neighborhoods. There are some land-use tools that can be used to take land that fits for a multi-family development (neighborhood-wise) but is zoned wrong, so a major use permit or zone change is needed.
The costs and time with those two items make it unlikely anyone will risk building it and have it be affordable. On a case by case basis, there needs to be the ability to waive zone changes and MUPs for development and not incur fees. Unlocking zoning countywide is a foolish and lazy response.
6.) Do you support or oppose the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, and would you support or oppose the use of aggressive enforcement seen elsewhere here in San Diego County? What is your message to immigrants in this district? (150 words max)
I do not support rounding up illegal immigrants who are simply working here or for that matter American citizens! I support deporting those who are here illegally and have committed felony crimes — most countries deport you if you commit a crime, or jail you then deport you.
Congress needs to act to create a Bracero program or some sort of amnesty program that gives illegal immigrants a chance to get a work permit. We depend on immigrants to make our economy work. Being the granddaughter of an immigrant, I understand how important it is that immigrants can work in our country without fear of being deportation and separation from their families.
7.) Your district has struggled with rising costs of water, gas and other basic expenses, and cuts to federal safety-net programs threaten to impose new costs on many residents. What would you do to help keep San Diego County affordable and struggling families afloat? (150 words max)
Pressure Sacramento to pause the gas tax. That’s a big one. Additionally, the county should pressure SDG&E to increase its income threshold to be eligible for reduced energy rates — our money doesn’t having the same buying power. Water should also be discounted at a higher income range.
8.) What should be the county’s top priorities on public health and, separately, on behavioral health? (100 words max)
Working with hospitals to reduce ER visits and wait times. Behavioral health is the biggest part of the county’s budget – what are we getting for this? Who is being left out, and what can we do to maximize efficiency, so everyone has access to the health care they need?
The current system is not doing enough to help working families. We need to strengthen partnerships with our health care providers — they are on the front lines of this issue. They need the county’s support, and the county needs to listen to them.
9.) This district is vulnerable to climate change impacts like wildfires, rising sea levels and extreme heat and to the health effects of climate-warming emissions. What should the county do to improve climate resilience and reduce emissions? (100 words max)
No more bike lanes and spending on outdated EV chargers. The rest of the world isn’t cooperating, and trying to combat climate change on a local level is like putting a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound. Instead spend on infrastructure improvements and planning for the next weather event, be it a flood, a wildfire, excessive heat or even a hurricane or tornado.
The emergency alert system needs to be completely updated. Now, you can get alerts faster using X or an app like Watch Duty than on the county’s system. Be ready for climate change instead of thinking you can stop it at the county level.
10.) A countywide half-cent sales tax increase appears on the November ballot. How will you vote on this? Where else should the county find revenue or savings to deliver key services and close future budget gaps? (100 words max)
No way I would vote to support that. Just like a household, you make cuts and you do without when you’re in a budget crises — you don’t go ask for more money. The administrative state is bloated and needs to become more efficient.