Geoff Auslen
| Candidate Name | Geoff Auslen |
| Position Sought | San Luis Obispo County Supervisor, 2nd District |
| Website / Social Media | www.auslenforsupervisor.org |
| Why are you running for office? | Inflation is at a 40-year high, and gas in SLO County is the most expensive in the nation. It’s nearly impossible for ordinary folks to afford to call San Luis Obispo County home. The status quo is unacceptable. As a long-time local resident and small business owner (Glenn’s Repair in Atascadero, among other ventures), I have the experience to make a difference on day one. As the 2nd District’s next Supervisor, I will fight for pro-jobs policies that bring in outside investment and head-of-household jobs. In addition to attracting new jobs and economic investment, we need to protect the jobs we already have – like the 1,500 head-of-household jobs at Diablo Canyon. I have been a long-time proponent of keeping Diablo Canyon open, and will work with folks of all political backgrounds to keep this critical plant open. My opponent – a career politician who is running to be on the Board of Supervisors for 20 years – has consistently voted against Diablo Canyon and its workforce, and has supported closing the plant for over twenty years. SLO County is at a crossroads. I care about this community, and want to make a difference and improve our residents’ quality of life. As a small business owner, I will fight to create jobs, protect Diablo Canyon, and make San Luis Obispo County more affordable for ordinary folks. |
| What makes you qualified for the job? | I was raised right here on the Central Coast, and have owned and operated businesses throughout the County for more than 20 years. I understand how to manage finances and people, and how to get things done. I’ve even helped other small business owners get through planning, permitting, and the inspection process – and have a keen understanding of the types of changes that need to take place in order to make our county more business friendly. In addition to my background as a small business owner and job creator, my wife and I have supported a number of local charitable organizations, like the Atascadero K-9 Foundation. I have also Served on the Atascadero Chamber Board of Directors and the SLOCOG Transportation Steering Committee, and am tuned in to local issues However, my proudest accomplishment was being the lead advisor and fundraiser for Atascadero’s first inclusive playground. After six years, our team of volunteers financed and built the Joy Playground, an inclusive playground where all individuals – regardless of their disability – could safely play together. As a result of this effort, I was named Citizen of the Year in 2021 by United Cerebral Palsy of SLO County. |
| What are your two main priorities if you win? | With inflation at a 40-year high and gas prices skyrocketing, we’ve got to focus on creating head-of-household jobs. To do that, we need to create an environment more conducive to business growth and investment. That means cutting regulations and making it simpler for folks to interact with their government and build things. Secondly, we need to focus on making our communities safer. I am also proud to be the only candidate in the race endorsed by local police officers and firefighters. My opponent – a career politician running for 20 years as a County Supervisor – has voted to cut funding for our county Sheriff. Our communities have suffered the consequences of disastrous state polices like early release for dangerous criminals. The last thing we can afford to do is cut funding for law enforcement. As the next 2nd District Supervisor, I’ll fight to increase funding for law enforcement, work to get more deputies on the street, and decrease emergency response times in rural areas. In addition, I will work to get a Sheriff substation built in San Miguel. |
| How will you collaborate with other governments? | I am, first and foremost, a small businessman. I understand how important it is to work collaboratively with others who share your mission or objective. In the past, I have coordinated work and projects with numerous agencies such as CHP, Police and Fire, Sheriff's, Rangers, City and County Government, CalTrans, State and Federal parks. The Central Coast has shown that it can accomplish amazing things when we work together as a region, rather than as individual counties or cities. I plan to bring that collaborative spirit to my role as a County Supervisor to advocate for highway and water infrastructure dollars, regional business investment, and other issues that benefit our entire region. |
| What are the next two issues that are most important to you? | Inflation is the highest it’s been since the 1980s, gas prices are at an all-time high, and homelessness is skyrocketing. We need to do more to create head-of-household jobs and make San Luis Obispo County more affordable for ordinary folks. We also need a more regional approach to addressing the homeless crisis. That means more mental health and drug addition resources in order to solve the root of the issue. Lastly, we need an all-hands-on-deck approach to keep Diablo Canyon open. Diablo generates millions of dollars in annual economic activity, and is responsible for 1,500 local head-of-household jobs. My opponent – a career politician who has been on the board since 2006 – has always opposed Diablo Canyon and has voted consistently to shutter the plant for 20 years. Our community – and our state – cannot afford to close Diablo Canyon. I will fight to keep Diablo Canyon open. |
