Pro-Choice Organization Run Women Run Announces Endorsements

Pro-Choice Endorsements

An organization that supports pro-choice women running for office endorsed 11 candidates for federal, state and local offices Tuesday.

Run Women Run made its choices for races in the June 5 primary election.

They are:

• Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., for re-election;
• ex-legislator Denise Moreno Ducheny for Congress in the 51st District;
• former legislator Lori Saldaña for Congress in the 52nd District;
• Rep. Susan Davis, D-San Diego, for re-election;
• Assemblywoman Toni Atkins, for re-election;
• Shirley Weber for the 79th Assembly District;
• District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis for mayor of San Diego;
• San Diego Councilwoman Sherri Lightner, for re-election;
• San Diego Councilwoman Marti Emerald, for re-election;
• Chula Vista Councilwoman Pamela Bensoussan, for re-election; and
• former legislator Mary Salas for Chula Vista City Council.

"We are honored to support such a stellar group of candidates," said Michelle Burton, president of Run Women Run. "We believe that women of this stature who serve as elected officials bring an important perspective and elevate the discussion about education, the environment, health care and other issues that impact all of us."

Most of the endorsed candidates are running against men in the primary election.

Cannon Death

An 39-year-old man remained behind bars Wednesday on suspicion of firing a homemade cannon into his East County mobile home, fatally injuring his live-in girlfriend in front of the couple's 4-year-old daughter.   

The 38-year-old victim, whose name was not immediately released, died of shrapnel wounds at the scene, sheriff's officials said. Her death in the 25000 block of Potrero Valley Road was reported just after midnight Tuesday.

Medics took the woman's boyfriend, Richard Dale Fox, to Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego for treatment of leg injuries he suffered when the makeshift mortar went off.

After being treated, Fox was arrested and booked into county jail on suspicion of detonating an explosive device in a manner resulting in death, according to sheriff's Sgt. David Martinez.

The couple's child and three adults were in the trailer with the victim at the time of the fatal blast but were not harmed, Martinez said. The girl was turned over to child protective services personnel.

The suspect's motive for allegedly firing off the weapon in the direction of his residence was unclear, according to Martinez. Preliminary evidence suggested that Fox had been drinking, he said.

The sergeant said he did not have a detailed description of the homemade cannon, though he said the suspect apparently had used explosive powder from fireworks to shoot it. The type of projectile fired into the mobile home also was not immediately clear.

Dog Beating

A man who pleaded guilty to felony animal abuse for beating his 4-year-old pit bull was sentenced Tuesday to probation and was ordered to pay full restitution to the San Diego Humane Society for the dog's medical expenses.

Saman Afrouzina will also have to take classes on animal abuse and cannot own an animal for three years, officials said. A hearing is scheduled in two weeks to determine the restitution amount.

According to the Humane Society, officers seized the dog -- named Sasha - - when a good Samaritan turned in a video of Afrouzina punching the animal and lifting her by the ears.

Upon arriving at the Humane Society, Sasha was fearful of having her ears touched, a result of the maltreatment she endured, officials said. The organization's Behavior & Training team worked with the dog daily, and she is now available for adoption at the Humane Society's Central Campus located at 5500 Gaines St.

Animal-related concerns can be submitted on the San Diego Humane Society's website, www.sdhumane.org or by calling (619) 243-3466.

-City News Service