Debbie Arnold announces bid for SLO County supervisor
September 1, 2011
A field representative for Senator Sam Blakeslee and former Atascadero business owner announced plans Wednesday to run for a seat on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors.
Debbie Arnold made the announcement in an exclusive interview with CalCoastNews.
Arnold, 57, a Pozo resident who worked for nearly five years as the legislative assistant to former supervisor Mike Ryan plans to run for the Fifth District Supervisor seat held by Jim Patterson, whose four-year term expires at the end of the 2012.
Arnold’s primary concern is the financial stability of county residents.
“I see hard working people who are not able to make a living,” Arnold said. “In the past several years, increased regulations have made it more difficult to do business in this county.”
Arnold also said she believes in protecting private property rights.
Past District 5 elections have been razor-thin close. In 2008, Patterson beat Arnold by approximately 300 votes.
In August, Patterson announced his intentions to break the so-called “5th District curse” and win a third term on the Board. Former supervisors Ryan and David Blakely previously failed in their attempts at a third term in the district which currently includes parts of Atascadero, San Luis Obispo, Santa Margarita, and Creston.
Atascadero mayor Tom O’Malley had been expected to challenge Patterson, but recently announced he was giving up his plans because of family issues.
A graduate of Cuesta College, Arnold owned and operated the Small Wonders Preschool for 17 years.
She and her husband Steve, a local farmer, have been married for 36 years.
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