Bruce Gibson

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Bruce Gibson has announced he will run for a fourth term in office.

Gibson, who represents SLO County’s North Coast, or District 2, stated in a Facebook post that he loves his job. The three-term incumbent supervisor said he wants to continue working on county water, housing and financial policies.

“I love this job — with the hard work of county staff and dedicated community members, we’ve accomplished a lot,” Gibson wrote on Facebook. “I would be honored to serve another term and continue to take on challenging issues of water management, affordable housing and maintaining this county’s solid financial footing.”

Over more than a decade in office, Gibson has endured numerous controversies, including a scandal that emerged from him having an affair with his legislative assistant. Gibson championed the Los Osos sewer project, which was finally constructed after decades of controversy. He also led the push for a North County water district, which voters ultimately rejected.

Since the 2014 election of a conservative board majority, Gibson and his ally Supervisor Adam Hill have fallen into the minority. Both Gibson and Hill have turned to the press to lash out at their fellow board members, recently stating in a Tribune op-ed that the board majority is imposing a “chaotic reign of error and behind-the-scenes tyranny.”

Gibson and Hill particularly differ with the new majority over marijuana policy, with the two liberal supervisors pushing to allow unregulated pot operations in SLO County.

In 2014, Gibson cruised to victory, receiving 66 percent of the vote in the primary election. No challenger has yet to emerge in the 2018 District 2 race.

Like Gibson, Supervisor Lynn Compton is also up for reelection, and she, too, has announced she will run for another term on the board.