Kyle Krahel-Frolander has publicly declared his commitment to electing Democrat Paloma Aguirre to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, emphasizing his focus on this crucial race against Republican John McCann.
Democratic leaders such as Will Rodriguez-Kennedy and Sara Ochoa are also rallying support for Aguirre’s campaign, with Rodriguez-Kennedy urging that Aguirre’s election should be everyone’s top priority.
However, beneath the surface, there is much more brewing within the local Democratic Party than mere electoral support.
Krahel-Frolander has taken a leave from his role as chairman of the San Diego County Democratic Party, stating he is attending to personal matters. Sources suggest that these personal matters may involve his ambitions for the open District 5 seat on the Board of Supervisors slated for 2026, as shared by Lori Saldaña, a former Assembly member.
Saldaña indicated she got wind of these plans from a fellow state party delegate who requested discretion a few days before the recent Democratic convention in Anaheim.
Rodriguez-Kennedy, who previously stepped down as party chair amid sexual assault allegations, is reportedly seeking to reclaim his leadership role.
According to Saldaña, he has expressed intentions to run for chair again once Krahel-Frolander officially announces his candidacy for supervisor.
Rodriguez-Kennedy acknowledged in an interview that he would consider running for chair again if the opportunity arises, touting his previous success in flipping the county blue for the first time in history.
Ochoa, who served as the former vice chair for the South Area, is positioning herself for future leadership discussions post-Aguirre’s election victory, expressing her eagerness to share her qualifications and vision for the county party.
On a recent Saturday, Ochoa and Rodriguez-Kennedy met with Saldaña and other party leaders at Elijah’s Restaurant to discuss the upcoming chair election.
Saldaña voiced concerns regarding the lack of transparency surrounding the executive board’s activities, stating that there will inevitably be an election, although the timing remains uncertain.
She reported that Rodriguez-Kennedy believes he has the necessary support to win the chair position but failed to address important questions about the current executive board’s transparency.
I reached out with inquiries to both Rodriguez-Kennedy and Ochoa regarding the chair election, but neither provided direct answers.
Krahel-Frolander and acting chair Ross Pike also did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.
Saldaña conveyed her intent to gather more information about potential chair candidates, emphasizing the need for a candidate forum organized by the local party’s Council of Clubs to help voters make informed decisions.
Despite her desire for clarity, Saldaña expressed skepticism regarding Ochoa’s plan for a July 1 meeting with the San Diego Building & Construction Trades Council, questioning why external organizations would be involved in a Democratic Party leadership forum.
The memory of Becca Taylor, the former party chair who tragically passed away in a traffic accident last July, lingered during discussions. She had risen to the position without a contested election after serving as acting chair for eight months.
One party insider expressed strong opposition to the idea of Rodriguez-Kennedy reclaiming the chair role, citing concerns about his past behavior and ethics complaints involving his associates.
This insider remarked on Rodriguez-Kennedy’s tactics of raising his profile by attacking other party members, highlighting the divisive nature of his leadership.
Rodriguez-Kennedy has maintained that he was cleared of all charges related to previously raised allegations, asserting that his contributions to the community and his roles include advocating for veterans and defending a merit-based system in the local government.
Support for Rodriguez-Kennedy persists within some party circles.
Ryan Trabuco, president of San Diego Democrats for Equality, stated there is evident enthusiasm among Democratic activists for Rodriguez-Kennedy’s potential return as chair, citing his successful electoral record.
Pike, in his communication to the Central Committee, outlined his background and aspirations as acting chair while emphasizing the critical nature of Aguirre’s upcoming election.
As acting chair, Pike’s primary focus is on ensuring Aguirre’s victory, which he believes is instrumental in impacting the political climate at the county level.
However, party dynamics reveal a level of dissatisfaction among some, with Saldaña herself expressing disappointment regarding the available candidates, believing none currently present a vision needed to counter the prevailing Trump agenda.
As the local Democratic Party moves forward, the interplay between current leadership, upcoming elections, and behind-the-scenes political maneuvering will be pivotal in shaping its future direction.
image source from：https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2025/06/08/democratic-drama-3-possible-rivals-for-san-diego-party-chair-as-chief-takes-leave/
