(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, CA) - District 7 candidate Rik Hauptfeld is running a grassroots campaign. Hauptfeld doesn’t have big contributors nor is he aligned with large organizations. “We need a change and a more independent voice,” he said.
Hauptfeld said there are many people who feel the same way. When he attended a recent Allied Gardens Community Council meeting, he was buoyed by the number of people who approached him after his speech, which included an explanation of his independent status. “It was tremendously encouraging for me,” he said. “We’re about the community – we don’t have a bunch of money behind us.”
As an independent candidate, Hauptfeld said he is maximizing free resources to get his message out there.
“In our opinion, the web – social media – is our great equalizer because they’re free,” said Hauptfeld, who added that his Facebook likes and Twitter followers continue to increase.
Unlike his fellow District 7 candidates, Mathew Kostrinsky and Scott Sherman, Hauptfeld did not grow up in San Diego. Hauptfeld said he doesn’t believe it’s a bad thing to be a relatively newcomer to the city.
“Because I’ve seen other cities, and lived in other places, I developed a ruler by which to measure San Diego. And let me tell you, San Diego is a fantastic place,” said Hauptfeld, who was born in Yugoslavia and spent most of his youth in St. Louis, Mo. And it’s because San Diego is such a fantastic place that Hauptfeld wants to help protect it, he said.
“We’re trying to raise awareness and raise the level of community activism,” Hauptfeld said.
On Jan. 27, Hauptfeld wore flip-flops, jeans and a white buttoned-down shirt to do a walkthrough of Tierrasanta for more than two hours. Within the five days, he covered more than a thousand homes.
“I want to be a representative in the true sense of representative,” said Hauptfeld. “If the people of District 7 want to scream and yell while I’m in office, I will scream and yell for them.”
Hauptfeld, 40, worked in the construction management industry until he was downsized in 2009. He and his wife, Phyllis, then made the decision for Hauptfeld to become a stay-at-home dad to his three daughters, Ohana, 6, Francis, 4, and Hilary, 3.
Hauptfeld said in his personal bio: “Through the experience of losing my livelihood, our family home, and taking on the responsibilities of a stay at home dad, I have learned patience, humility, compassion, perseverance and empathy.”
Not one to sit on his laurels, Hauptfeld soon became very involved with Ohana’s school, Kumeyaay Elementary. He joined its foundation – a group of parents that coordinates fundraising programs – to support its mission of augmenting programs that were cut by the San Diego Unified School District.
As the Kumeyaay Elementary representative for the District Advisory Council, Hauptfeld deals with Title I allotments for special programs. Title I funds are distributed among schools that classify at least 45 percent of their students as economically disadvantaged.
Although Kumeyaay does not qualify for Title I funds, the school is still allowed to have a non-voting member of the advisory council. One of Hauptfeld’s proudest moments while sitting on the council was helping to maintain the percentage at 45 percent as compared to a proposed 75 percent, which would have left thousands of students without the help they need.
“Do you know how many students would have been affected,” asked Hauptfeld, shaking his head. “To me, a student is a student is a student. … A kid in need is a kid in need.”
Hauptfeld’s commitment to the next generation has in part inspired his run for office.
“I am not a political insider, but I am extremely passionate about doing my part to ensure that future generations enjoy the same opportunity to live as safe and prosperous life as we live today,” he said.
