Time to throw hat into Rancho Bernardo ‘mayor’ race

Ever dream of being a “mayor,” but in an election where your supporters could cast more than one vote for you? Then the Rancho Bernardo honorary mayor contest is for you.

Rancho Bernardo Business Association is seeking candidates for its annual fundraiser contest that revolves around parties, prizes and being a community ambassador.

Interested candidates have until Jan. 31 to throw their hats into the race. There are a few requirements. Candidates must be at least 21 years old, live or work in Rancho Bernardo and be a member of the RBBA.

As for that latter requirement, RBBA Executive Director Larry McIntyre said becoming a member is easy, with three options available. A company membership is $225, an associate membership (for employees of member companies) is $125 and an individual membership — meaning anyone else in the community, including retirees — is $150.

“We have at least 60 individual members,” McIntyre said of the business organization’s 300 or so current members. He said RBBA is starting its membership drive soon, so the number of total members is posed to increase.

As for winning the race that this year will conclude in November, all the new honorary mayor has to do is raise more money than his or her opponents. This is done by selling tickets to an opportunity drawing for the RBBA’s grand prizes — typically worth several hundred dollars each — and holding parties. For the latter, in recent years party attendees pay around $25 or $30 for admission (which equates to five or more grand prize drawing tickets). They also have the option to purchase opportunity drawing tickets for other prizes or bid in a silent auction.

Candidates can hold one or more parties and raise money in other creative ways as well. For example, a couple years ago one candidate sold jars of homemade salsa.

“Over the years we’ve learned how successful campaigns are run, so each candidate will be provided with an experienced coach to help plan and execute their campaigns,” said RBBA President Marty Judge.

Some of the campaign costs are reimbursed by RBBA, officials said.

“The honorary mayor receives a great deal of publicity during his or her reign, so it is a business-building opportunity like none other in North County,” McIntyre said.

Honorary mayor duties include attending business ribbon cuttings and community events throughout the year, such as the Spirit of the Fourth festivities and the Halloween event at the Rancho Bernardo Vons Town Center. When not available to attend, the runner-up — dubbed the deputy honorary mayor — fills in.

Last year around $20,000 was raised by the two candidates, McIntyre said. The money goes to a variety of community organizations. Past recipients have included Rancho Bernardo High School, the Miss Rancho Bernardo Scholarship Pageant, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego, Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation, Rancho Bernardo Historical Society and the Rancho Bernardo Library. A portion of the money stays with RBBA to fund its community activities, like putting on the Savour RB food festival and hosting Rancho Bernardo’s community Christmas tree and menorah display.

McIntyre said the campaigns will likely kick-off officially in early June, with most of the parties and other fundraising activities taking place throughout the summer.

He said RBBA leaders would like two or three candidates step forward and they prefer a variety of backgrounds, so there are not three real estate agents vying for the title and same supporters, for example. McIntyre said candidates do not have to be members of the business community, just a resident who knows a lot of people and able to solicit a lot of votes (money) from supporters.

The Rancho Bernardo Honorary Mayor contest started in 1991 as a fundraiser for the Rancho Bernardo Chamber of Commerce and various community causes. In 2011, the chamber — by that time called San Diego North Chamber of Commerce (now North San Diego Business Chamber) — turned the contest over to the RBBA since the chamber had become a regional organization and the contest was a community-based endeavor. A majority of winners during its 20 years with the chamber were RB business leaders.

For details on becoming a candidate, contact Marty Judge at 858-385-0876 or Marty@RBBAConnect.com.