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Schumacher to challenge Hall in Carlsbad mayoral race

CARLSBAD First-term City Councilwoman Cori Schumacher announced her candidacy for mayor on Jan. 7 in a YouTube video, challenging incumbent Matt Hall. Hall is currently serving his second term as mayor and has served on the City Council since 1994.

Schumacher also has the endorsement of Lorraine Wood, a former councilwoman she defeated in the 2016 election.

“While we have accomplished so much together, there is a lot left to do,” Schumacher said in the video. “We need a vision both rooted in our history, while looking forward to our future. I’m looking forward to sharing the vision that we have developed together for a future for all of us in Carlsbad.”

This year is the first year Carlsbad residents will vote in district elections. The city was drawn into four districts, with Districts 1 and 3 up for election this year, although the mayoral race is an at-large vote.

Schumacher resides in District 1, which covers Carlsbad Village and Barrio, and opted to run against Hall. It leaves the District 1 race between incumbent Mark Packard and challenger Mary Viney. In District 3, which covers some of La Costa, incumbent Michael Schumacher (no relation to Cori Schumacher) is currently running unopposed.

Packard was first elected to the council in 2002 and was also elected and served on the board of trustees for the Carlsbad Unified School District from 1990-1998. He is also a longtime small business owner with a dentistry practice in Carlsbad Village.

Cori Schumacher rose to prominence and office after the contentious Measure A vote, in which residents rejected a proposed luxury mall on the south side of Agua Hedionda Lagoon. She rode the results of the special election and wave of resentment against the council over the issue into office, upsetting Wood.

Schumacher is the lone democrat on the council and is often on the losing end of 4-1 votes.

Wood said Schumacher’s ethics, communication and vision for the city were factors in her decision to endorse the first-term councilwoman.

“Cori is an amazingly ethical person (and it) is so important for the position of mayor,” Wood said. “Cori also operates at the ceiling of ethics, not in the basement.”

Her opponent Hall is a Vietnam veteran and businessman. He has served in nearly every capacity on the council with committee assignments and was also instrumental in the completion of the desalination plant, which came online in 2015.

Hall also has a significant fundraising advantage, according to the most recent campaign filings. As of June 30, 2017, the two-term mayor had an ending cash balance of $95,654.73, while Schumacher had just $3,448.52.

The filing deadline for campaign contributions from July through December 2017 is approaching.

As for the council race, Packard had $7,413.70 in the June reporting period. Viney, meanwhile, has not reported any contributions. Michael Schumacher has banked $13,145.85.

CORRECTION: The story originally stated in error that Hall formerly owned two Carlsbad restaurants.

12 comments

Octavio Corona June 7, 2018 at 1:20 am

As a City we are falling behind in north county! We were (past) a successful economically booming city, but with conservative Matt Hall and extremely conservative Cori I don’t really see a vision for Carlsbad! Cori is always voting No on everything, She does not believe in growth, many people want a small town feel while other cities are growing at a successful rate! What happened to the Carlsbad I was born and grew up with? Businesses wanted to come to Carlsbad, but now with so many conservatives not believing in growth we are being outbided! No growth no jobs think about it for a minute! If people really don’t want a city to grow or prefer a small town, start thinking about Bonsall or Rainbow! We are falling behind compared to Oceanside, Vista, and San Marcos to name a few. What happened to our real leadership as a City not town!

Douglas Taylor January 15, 2018 at 11:53 pm

We will never forget Hall’s promotion of the Caruso Mall on the lagoon. And now it looks like the Council is set to approve a four-story mini-mall on the corner of Carlsbad Village Drive and State Street. And then there’s the on-going debacle with the Village Master Plan. Not to mention the 51 cameras that are now running our license plates as we drive around town. What’s happening to our beloved Carlsbad?

Julie January 10, 2018 at 1:15 pm

Jon,
Obviously it is not possible to ask Bud Lewis how that worked out for him but in my experience that Mayor Hall is far from “available to all” . Before Cori, Keith Blackburn answered questions and Lorraine Wood solved problems. The other 3 (Packard, Hall, and “no-relation” M Schumacher) did not even have the common courtesy to answer uncomplicated email questions. Perhaps they were (understandably) too busy running their own businesses … and/or side businesses… Don’t necessarily see being a business owner as a plus for mayor. It can be a source of conflict.
Lorraine Wood demonstrated true dedication to the people of this town for many
years . I’d like to see Hall bring a dish to a potluck ! I look forward to hearing more about why she supports Cori.

Don January 10, 2018 at 7:50 am

Jon,
I had one conversation with Matt Hall. He called me to try to convince me to change my mind about Caruso’s mall. In that conversation he lied to me. End of story.

Atsuko January 10, 2018 at 7:48 am

Jon,
Cori lives in Carlsbad. She takes the time to read documents unlike Hall. She talks to people who live here unlike Hall who only meets with his pals (developers, hotel owners, wealthy donors) for steaks and drinks. She’s WAY more qualified than Hall will ever be. It’s time for him to go. AND you really need to proofread your comments.

Jon January 10, 2018 at 6:33 am

Maybe you are not aware but Matt Hall was Bud Lewis right hand man for many years. Bud endorsed Matt for Mayor and helped campaign for him in 2010. There have been many positive things accomplished in the last 7 years in Carlsbad. Mayor Hall is always available to our cities youth, Boy Scouts, school programs, elderly, and all who request him. He has been a resident of North County for his whole life, owning property and business. Does Cori own property in Carlsbad?? What are her qualifications to be Mayor??

Addie January 9, 2018 at 6:28 pm

Jon,
I admire your loyalty to Hall. However, I suggest next time you decide to post a comment for public viewing, have someone proofread it for you. And Cori has 10 times the integrity and intelligence of Matt Hall even on a bad day.

Cas January 9, 2018 at 5:17 pm

Another disappointing article that can hardly be called journalism. Starting with the headline …. which Schumacher are you referencing? Hummmm?

1st paragraph – provides Matt Hall’s so called credentials without an attempt at listing any of Cori Schumacher’s many credentials. A good reporter would make an effort. Have you even attended any of the Carlsbad City Council meetings?

Then there are a few paragraphs about the city elections but not related to your headline.

Concluding paragraph #5 about Michael Schumacher running unopposed in District 3 then starting paragraph #6 about an unspecified Schumacher … hummmm. Basic grammatical error. Or was it an error.

Again, similar to the headline, basic Journalism 101. Were you attempting to grab the attention of the reader or hoping they would simply pass by this article without reading it? What was your purpose Mr. Puterski?

Julie January 9, 2018 at 4:44 pm

Actually, Bud Lewis led the way and quality of life has gotten a bit off track in recent years. Lorraine Wood worked with both mayors. She showed devotion, helpfulness, and availability to residents of Carlsbad, not just her campaign donors.
I very much look forward to hearing more from her
I look forward to having a resident-oriented mayor again. (Cori)
Hall had a long chance to be that person but behaved otherwise. That was his choice – this time we’ll have a choice in November.

Jon January 9, 2018 at 12:13 pm

Cori for Mayor????? You have got to be kidding. This is a well run city operating in the black (unlike most CA cities). Mayor Hall has led the way for it to become the desirable place to live for all. He has brought new business in while other areas in CA are losing businesses. His experience and devotion are not to be questioned as proven in his record. What experience does Corie have that could possibly qualify her to manage millions of dollars and maintain the integrity of Carlsbad. Think this is a dream of someone who does not understand the intracasies of running a city the caliber of Carlsbad. How about getting some much needed experience first????

Kim Trujillo January 9, 2018 at 10:23 am

Cori for Carlsbad !!!!!!!

Don January 8, 2018 at 7:07 pm

What does it tell you that Lorraine Wood who lost her seat to Cori is now supporting her? Cori will represent ALL the citizens of Carlsbad, not just the developers, hotel owners, and campaign donors. She is intelligent, competent, open-minded, fair and caring. We need her to be our next mayor.

Comments are closed.