Citing concerns over growing animosity and division on the SLO County Board of Supervisors, 53-year-old Morro Bay businessman Jeff Eckles will run against incumbent 2nd District Supervisor Bruce Gibson in the 2018 elections.
Eckles told New Times that his final decision on the matter came after he floated the idea on his Facebook page in early January.
“[The feedback] was overwhelmingly positive,” Eckles said. “The idea that we can do better really resonated with people.”
Eckles is the owner of the Morro Bay House of Jerky and the former executive director of the Home Builders Association of the Central Coast. Prior to that, he worked for several years as a financial advisor at a firm he founded called Eckles Wealth Management.
Eckles said he decided to run against Gibson because he believed political division among the five supervisors was causing “acrimony and dysfunction” on the board.
“I think it’s gotten to the point where it’s damaging the political process in the county,” Eckles said. “Where we are at today is that you have three Republicans and two Democrats. As a result there is a complete lack of cooperation and civility, and most importantly, a complete lack of communication.”
Currently, many of the board’s votes break along ideological lines, with conservative leaning members John Peschong, Debbie Arnold, and Lynn Compton voting against liberal leaning supervisors Gibson and Adam Hill. Eckles characterized his political ideology as “fiscally conservative and socially liberal” and said he’d been a “no party preference” voter for the last 12 years.
“I think the fact that I am truly non-partisan and a moderate [means] you’d have someone on the board who is not at either extreme, as it appears today,” he said.
Campaign finance records showed that Eckles donated $145 to Peschong’s campaign for 1st District supervisor in October 2016, which Eckles said was because he liked Peschong’s platform “in regard to responsive and responsible government.”
The candidate may face hurdles in connection to his work for the Home Builder’s Association, which voiced support for repealing the county’s inclusionary housing ordinance while he was its executive director. Eckles noted that as director of the association he was not a policymaker.
Eckles said he would file paperwork to run against Gibson by Jan. 18.
The second supervisorial district includes much of SLO County’s north coast, stretching from the Monterey County line to Los Osos and parts of San Luis Obispo. The district also includes the city of Morro Bay, as well as the unincorporated communities of San Simeon and Cambria.
Gibson’s is not the only supervisorial seat to be contested in this election. Last year, Arroyo Grande resident Jimmy Paulding announced his plans to run against Compton, currently the 4th District supervisor.
This article appears in Jan 18-28, 2018.
How about some full disclosure?
Why did Eckles suddenly close his wealth management business and why did he leave his position with the homebuilders Association after such a short time? Now hes trying to sell beef jerky. Tomorrow he wants to be county supervisor.
No doubt Eckles is a nice guy but we could really use someone with managerial talent, common sense and a spine strong enough to stand up against the mean-spirited extremist lobbyists who selfishly dictate undemocratic policy behind closed doors to Peschong and others on the board.
A position on the board of supervisors should not be a mans alternative to unemployment or bankruptcy .
When Mr Eckles asked for feedback on his FB page, I sent him this cautionary letter. Not exactly “Overwhelming Support”
Sir;
I dont know your background, but you would be entering the fight of your life, as Bruce Gibson is respected and admired throughout his district, and has the persona and experience to be a hero to most. As a multi term incumbent, with a strong approval rating and a current experienced campaign re-election staff, you might think long and hard if this is the ditch you want to expire in. .
If you have spent any time observing Mr Gibson, you will have noticed that he brings experience, rational thought, hard work, and devotion to his job. You may not agree with his politics, but most of his voters have taken multiple notes of the above and think highly of him. Tough nut to crack.
Dan Cook
Next obvious question for Eckles: Will he be accepting quid pro quo donations from COLAB lobbyists in the same manner as Peschong, Arnold and Compton? And for Eckles to claim he has so-called “no party preference” means he has STARTED HIS CAMPAIGN WITH A LIE. You don’t donate to Peschong if you have no party preference, unless you are clueless or a mindless pawn.
It’s the same outrageous B.S. line that Dan Carpenter tried –and failed –to get over on voters. Why do so many so-called “fiscally conservative/socially liberal candidates start off their campaigns acting like Central Coast voters are stupid and naive? Yeah, I know, Trump has made the Republican brand toxic to so many people, but hiding behind the vacuous cliche about being quote fiscally conservative/socially liberal unquote is a tired script. What does it mean? Sort of like Trump but cool about homosexuality, smoking dope and going to rock concerts–while still wanting to rape the environment deny the needy affordable, quality healthcare all in the name of Ayn Rand selfishness.
This is Jeff Eckles and I must reply to the libelous and untrue remarks made on this thread by “rightword2”.
I did not suddenly close my investment advisory business. I was in that business for over 20 years and retired from it about 4 years ago.
I opened the retail shop in Morro Bay 8 years ago. It continues to do well.
I am not unemployed, nor have I ever in my life filed for bankruptcy.
Lastly, no party preference means I am not registered w a political party but am registered to vote. I judge issues on their own merit, not through the lens of partisan ideology. It’s called being Independent.
I hesitate to engage on a board like this but when flat out lies are posted, they must be addressed.
Jeff, thank you for the clarification. And it’s nice to know you read the comments here.
I did not claim that you ever filed bankruptcy, only meaning that it was possible–as it is with anyone who owns a business. . Nor do I know your employment status. I apologize for giving anyone the impression that you are either unemployed or went bankrupt. If the New Times comment system allowed it, I would edit my statement so not to confuse or mislead you or anyone else.
I do still wonder why you “retired” from you previous career at such a young age, but maybe you will address that in the course of your campaign.
I do appreciate and respect that you have taken the time to make your concerns known. I’m bothered that you supported John Peschong for supervisor because he’s just awful and a tool for extremist lobbyists and has pushed the board in a very sick and troubling direction. So, I think it is fair to assume that your donation to his campaign means your are in support of the direction he has pushed the board. Correct?
I do stand by my statement that your non-affiliation with either the Republican or Democratic party tells the voter little or nothing about your intentions. And your “fiscally conservative/socially liberal” trope is also insipid in this day and age and seems more of a diversionary tactic as opposed to helping voters understand what you would bring to the board if elected. Other than being a “nice guy”, what do you have to offer in way of skills or experience that is relevant (other than telling others what to do with their money)?
But all indications so far is that if elected you would only add power to the far right coalition that so many of us are sick and tired of. As it is, I see no reason to prefer you over Gibson. So far, other than vacuous platitudes, you offer little or nothing worth recommending you for the position. If you can prove me wrong, that would be fine with me. But in the meantime, how about you tell us why in the world you would help Peschong be elected?
Let me make it perfectly clear, as far as I know Jeff Eckles has never filed for bankruptcy. That’s his claim and I believe him. I understand that he is not registered as either a Republican or a Democratic voter, even though he has contributed to the coffers of at least one Republican candidate.
Eckles donation to the election campaign of far right Republican ideologue John Peschong may or may not be something Eckles regrets nor does it indicate with certainty that he will follow the same extremist, Trumpian, Heritage Foundation-inspired, lobbyist lead, COLAB loving path as Peschong.
But it sure would be appreciated if Eckles would show a strong backbone and denounce Peschong, especially after he unfairly denied third district voters their turn to have their elected board representative chair the board this year and instead grabbed it again for himself. Does Eckles approve of this or not? Would he do the same thing if he had a chance?
Should be an interesting campaign. May the candidate who is best for SLO County prevail!
And speaking of vacuous comments, what are we to make of Eckles weaseling his way out of taking personal responsibility for the controversial work he did for the Home Builder’s Association? He claims he was just doing his job and was “not a policy maker.” So, does he stand by his work with the Builder’s or does he regret it? It’s unclear. But if he didn’t approve of what the Builder’s were pushing, did he help them anyway or did he quit the job or was he fired? Clear answers to these fair questions would give voters a better idea of his character and what Eckles would have in store for us if he were to be elected.
This election is too darn important to not take seriously and not examine the candidates in close and exacting detail. If you can’t stand the heat….
One more thing, Jeff. Will you be accepting campaign “donations” from COLAB lobbyists? A straight-forward yes or no would be helpful, followed by any reasoning you would be willing to share with voters. I hope you won’t ignore this fair and highly relevant question and will instead show respect to voters by answering it honestly and forthrightly. It’s important.
One a more positive not, based on reviews, it does seem Jeff Eckles is keen on customer service and knows how to please lovers of dried mammal , bird and reptile flesh. Lots of Five Star reviews for his Morro Bay business: https://www.yelp.com/biz/morro-bay-house-o…
I don’t think PETA would consider the business “socially liberal”, but whatever….