2020 San Diego mayoral election

Summary

The 2020 San Diego mayoral election was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the Mayor of San Diego. Incumbent Kevin Faulconer was ineligible to run for a third term due to term limits.

2020 San Diego mayoral election

← 2016 November 3, 2020 2024 →
 
Candidate Todd Gloria Barbara Bry
Popular vote 346,662 272,887
Percentage 56.0% 44.0%

Mayor before election

Kevin Faulconer

Elected Mayor

Todd Gloria

The officially non-partisan primary election was held on March 3, 2020. The top two finishers, California State Assemblymember and former acting mayor Todd Gloria and San Diego City Council president pro tem Barbara Bry advanced to the general election. This guaranteed that a Democrat would be elected mayor of San Diego for only the third time since 1971.[a] Gloria was then elected mayor in the November 3 election, making him the first Native American and Filipino-American mayor elected in a US city of over a million people, as well as the city's first mayor of color and the city's first openly gay mayor.[1]

Candidates edit

Note: Municipal elections in California are officially nonpartisan. The parties below identify which party label each candidate would have run under if given the option.

Qualified edit

Declined edit

Campaign edit

The campaign for the mayor's office kicked off in early January 2019, when San Diego City Council president pro tem Barbara Bry and California State Assemblymember Todd Gloria officially announced their candidacies.[18] They were joined in the race later that month by Tasha Williamson, a community activist who works with families who have lost members from police violence.[20] In November 2019, with less than 100 days to go before the primary, city council member Scott Sherman became the first major Republican to file papers for the mayoral race.[6]

One of the issues distinguishing the candidates from each other was housing policy. Local activist attorney Cory Briggs announced in January 2019 that he would run for mayor based on opposition to the loosening of development restrictions proposed by incumbent mayor Kevin Faulconer in his State of the City speech. However, Briggs dropped out of the race by May 2019.[21] In a June 2019 campaign email, Bry came out in favor of strong local control over land use and against statewide legislation to preempt local governments' ability to restrict new development. Gloria favored statewide efforts to increase housing supply, aligning himself with the pro-housing development "Yes In My Back Yard" (YIMBY) movement.[22] Sherman emphasized market-based solutions to housing upon his entry into the race in late 2019.[23]

Another major issue was climate. Gloria emphasized his role in the establishment of the San Diego Climate Action Plan, while Bry called for the plan to be expanded and to have better metrics.[24][25] Williamson spoke about environmental justice while Sherman attributed pollution to unhoused people.[25]

In August 2019, Gloria was accused of collecting funds for his 2020 re-election campaign to the State Assembly before filing his intent to run with the state in violation of state law.[26][27] Gloria claimed this was a technical oversight and filed the relevant paperwork the next day.[28] In November 2019, Gloria settled the case with the California Fair Political Practices Commission, paying a $200 fine.[29]

Endorsements edit

Barbara Bry
Officeholders
Newspapers
Organizations
Individuals
  • Father Joe Carroll[30]
  • Peter Cooper, arts patron and LGBT activist[30]
  • Ann Dynes, environmental advocate[30]
  • Robert Dynes, former Chancellor of the UCSD; former President of the University of California (UC) system[30]
  • Sunday Gover, 2018 candidate for California's 77th State Assembly district[35]
  • Abdur-Rahim Hameed, President and CEO at National Black Contractors Association[30]
  • Marc Johnson, University Heights resident, community leader[30]
  • Geneviéve Jones-Wright, 2018 candidate for San Diego County District Attorney[35]
  • Rita Lim-Wilby, community business owner, social advocate[30]
  • Dr. Alan Mobley, Director of Center for Transformative Justice; Executive Director of SDSU Project Rebound[30]
  • Gentry Patrick, PhD, Professor of Neurobiology and Creator and Faculty Director of the PATHS Scholar Program, UC San Diego[30]
  • Lynn Schenk, former congresswoman[30]
  • Pam Slater-Price, former county supervisor[30]
  • Richard Ybarra, San Diego Community Leader and son-in-law of Cesar Chavez[30]
Todd Gloria
Officeholders
Newspapers
Organizations
Scott Sherman
Officeholders
Organizations

Primary election edit

The primary election was held on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. In the initial results, Gloria led with more than 40% of the vote and was projected to advance to the general election. Sherman narrowly led Bry by a little over 3,000 votes for the second spot in the general election.[60] By the second day of counting, Bry had reduced Sherman's margin for the second spot by 30 percent to 2,140.[61] Bry continued to gain on Sherman as more votes were counted, and on March 16 her votes surpassed his.[62] The final results released in early April confirmed that Gloria would face Bry in the runoff election. This guaranteed that a Democrat would be elected mayor of San Diego for only the third time since 1971.[63]

Results edit

2020 San Diego mayoral primary election results[64]
Candidate Votes %
Todd Gloria 147,654 41.5%
Barbara Bry 81,541 22.9%
Scott Sherman 80,352 22.6%
Tasha Williamson 25,629 7.2%
Gita Appelbaum Singh 12,716 3.6%
Rich Riel 8,067 2.3%
Jarvis Gandy (write-in) 3 0.0%
Total votes 355,994 100%

General election edit

Polling edit

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[b]
Margin
of error
Barbara
Bry
Todd
Gloria
Other Undecided
FM3 Research/Voice of San Diego Oct. 8–22, 2020 580 (LV) ± 4.1% 32% 36% 32%
SurveyUSA/KGTV-TV/San Diego Union-Tribune Oct. 1–5, 2020 547 (LV) ± 5.3% 38% 39% 24%
SurveyUSA/KGTV-TV/San Diego Union-Tribune Aug. 28–31, 2020 517 (LV) ± 5.3% 37% 34% 29%
Strategies 360/Todd Gloria[A] Jul. 15–19, 2020 406 (LV) ± 4.9% 26% 41% 33%
GS Strategy Group/San Diego Lincoln Club Archived October 13, 2020, at the Wayback Machine Jun. 22–26, 2020 400 (LV) ± 4.9% 31% 34% 11%[c] 24%

Results edit

Todd Gloria wins 2020 San Diego mayoral election after Barbara Bry concedes.
Candidate Votes %
Todd Gloria 346,662 55.95%
Barbara Bry 272,887 44.05%
Total votes 619,549 100.00%

Notes edit

  1. ^ Frank Curran's term expired in 1971.
  2. ^ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  3. ^ "Neither" with 11%
  1. ^ Poll sponsored by Todd Gloria's campaign

References edit

  1. ^ Garrick, David (November 8, 2020). "Todd Gloria will bring lots of firsts as San Diego's new mayor". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Garrick, David (December 7, 2019). "Forty candidates battling for seven open seats in San Diego next year". The San Diego Union-Tribune.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "San Diego mayoral derby for 2020 has already started". The San Diego Union-Tribune. August 17, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Horn, Jonathan (January 3, 2019). "Three key Democrats file to run for San Diego mayor in 2020". KGTV ABC10 News San Diego. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  5. ^ Garrick, David (February 12, 2020). "Poll shows Gloria, Sherman continue to lead Bry in San Diego mayor's race". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Clark, Charles T.; Garrick, David (November 29, 2019). "Republican City Councilman Scott Sherman files to run for mayor of San Diego". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  7. ^ Hamblin, Abby; Gomez, Luis (February 28, 2019). "Who is Tasha Williamson? An in-depth 2020 San Diego mayor's race interview". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  8. ^ a b "Toni Atkins, Scott Peters are shaping the 2020 mayor's race — now". The San Diego Union-Tribune. December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  9. ^ Sklar, Debbie L. (March 22, 2019). "Todd Gloria Picks Up Endorsement from Toni Atkins in Mayoral Bid". Times of San Diego. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  10. ^ Garrick, David (November 23, 2018). "Briggs, vocal City Hall critic, will run for San Diego mayor in 2020". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  11. ^ Halverstadt, Lisa (April 6, 2016). "The Guys Who Want to Rep Downtown Don't Want a Downtown Convadium". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  12. ^ Graham, Marty (May 15, 2019). "Briggs pulls out of San Diego mayor race". San Diego Reader. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  13. ^ Libby, Sara; Rivard, Ry (November 7, 2018). "Morning Report: Big Changes at City Hall". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  14. ^ Marinucci, Carla (February 22, 2019). "Former GOP gubernatorial candidate John Cox isn't ruling out another run for top job". Politico. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  15. ^ "Reform CA Chair Carl DeMaio Talks Gas Tax, San Diego Leadership and a 2020 Mayoral Run?". IVN.us. April 2, 2018.
  16. ^ Clark, Charles T.; Cook, Morgan (August 5, 2019). "Carl DeMaio announces challenge for Rep. Duncan Hunter's congressional seat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  17. ^ Jennewein, Chris (April 29, 2019). "Another San Diego Republican Leaves The Party Amid Political 'Polarization'". Times of San Diego. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  18. ^ a b Service, City News (January 16, 2019). "Rep. Scott Peters To Run For Re-Election Instead Of Mayor In 2020". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  19. ^ Kucher, Karen (February 12, 2019). "Former police chief Zimmerman won't run for mayor in 2020; takes post with National University". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  20. ^ Marx, Jesse (January 22, 2019). "Morning Report: The Story Behind a Rape Accusation at an Escondido Middle School". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  21. ^ Jennewein, Chris (May 16, 2019). "Activist Lawyer Cory Briggs Pulls Out of San Diego Mayoral Race". Times of San Diego. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  22. ^ Lewis, Scott (June 26, 2019). "'They're Coming for Our Homes': Bry Blasts YIMBY Movement". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  23. ^ Lewis, Scott; Keatts, Andrew (December 7, 2019). "Politics Report: Hello, New Mayor's Race". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  24. ^ Editorial Board (October 15, 2020). "2020 election: Q&A with Council member Barbara Bry, candidate for San Diego mayor". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  25. ^ a b "2020 San Diego Mayoral candidates sound off about climate change". cbs8.com. February 6, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  26. ^ Garcia, Alberto (August 12, 2019). "Todd Gloria Failed to File Candidacy Form Before Raising Money". La Prensa San Diego. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  27. ^ Stone, Ken (August 13, 2019). "Todd Gloria Files for Assembly Re-Election While Running for San Diego Mayor". Times of San Diego. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  28. ^ Hargrove, Dorian (August 15, 2019). "Mayoral Candidate Todd Gloria Accused of Laundering Political Funds". NBC San Diego. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  29. ^ Stone, Ken (November 9, 2019). "Assemblyman Todd Gloria Pays Fine for Violating Political Reform Act Rules". Times of San Diego. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Bry, Barbara. "Endorsements". Barbara Bry for Mayor 2020. Barbara Bry Campaign. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  31. ^ Keatts, Andrew; Lewis, Scott (December 14, 2019). "Politics Report: Populist Bry Campaign Scores Populist Endorsement". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  32. ^ a b c d Mapp, Lauren J. (April 9, 2019). "Local Labor Union Endorses Todd Gloria in 2020 Mayoral Election". Times of San Diego. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  33. ^ Jennewein, Chris (February 4, 2020). "GOP's Dianne Jacob, County Supervisor, Endorses Barbara Bry for Mayor". Times of San Diego. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  34. ^ "Endorsements". Run Women Run. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  35. ^ a b c Jennewein, Chris (June 21, 2019). "Former Gov. Jerry Brown Endorses Todd Gloria for San Diego Mayor". Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Endorsements". Todd Gloria. March 15, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  37. ^ Lewis, Scott; Keatts, Andrew (July 4, 2020). "Politics Report: Vacation Rentals? It's Just Like Old Times!". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  38. ^ a b c Jennewein, Chris (May 7, 2019). "City Attorney Endorses Todd Gloria in 2020 San Diego Mayoral Election". Times of San Diego. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  39. ^ @toddgloria (November 7, 2019). "Big news! Senator @DianneFeinstein has endorsed our campaign..." (Tweet). Retrieved November 7, 2019 – via Twitter.
  40. ^ a b Smolens, Michael (December 8, 2019). "Column: Barbara Bry's climb to the mayor's office just got steeper". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  41. ^ Potter, Matt (February 8, 2020). "Todd Gloria gets hand slapped". San Diego Reader. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  42. ^ Jennewein, Chris (February 26, 2020). "City Council President Georgette Gómez Endorses Todd Gloria for San Diego Mayor". Times of San Diego.
  43. ^ @ToddGloria (November 20, 2019). "So proud to announce @KamalaHarris has..." (Tweet). Retrieved November 23, 2019 – via Twitter.
  44. ^ Jennewein, Chris (August 9, 2019). "Todd Gloria Gets Gov. Newsom's Endorsement in San Diego Mayor's Race". Times of San Diego. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  45. ^ John, Nate (June 7, 2019). "VOSD Podcast: This Week In Mayoral Messaging". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  46. ^ Keatts, Andrew; Lewis, Scott (May 11, 2019). "Politics Report: Councilwoman Montgomery on Housing, Police and School Reform". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  47. ^ a b Editorial Board (February 7, 2020). "Endorsement: Todd Gloria for San Diego mayor". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  48. ^ McAdam, Jeff (October 14, 2020). "Bry, women leaders slam Union-Tribune's 'sexist' Gloria endorsement". Fox 5 San Diego. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  49. ^ Callen, Kate (October 22, 2020). "Opinion: Union-Tribune's Endorsement of Todd Gloria Infuriates Women". Times of San Diego. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  50. ^ "Equality California Endorses Todd Gloria's Historic Bid for San Diego Mayor". Equality California. March 8, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  51. ^ "Endorsements". League of Conservation Voters - San Diego.
  52. ^ Garrick, David (November 5, 2019). "Labor unions lining up behind Gloria in San Diego mayor's race". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  53. ^ Lewis, Scott; Keatts, Andrew (November 23, 2019). "Politics Report: Holy Endorsement — Chamber Chooses Todd". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  54. ^ Jennewein, Chris (June 20, 2019). "Firefighters Union Endorses Gloria for Mayor, Brennan for City Council". Times of San Diego. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  55. ^ Bowen, Andrew (August 21, 2019). "San Diego County Democrats Endorse Gloria In Mayor's Race". KPBS. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  56. ^ Jennewein, Chris (July 18, 2019). "City Employees Union Endorses Todd Gloria for San Diego Mayor". Times of San Diego. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  57. ^ Libby, Sara (October 1, 2019). "Morning Report: The Wild World of Water Vending". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  58. ^ Lewis, Scott; Keatts, Andrew (September 21, 2019). "Politics Report: Fletcher Staying Out of 53rd". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  59. ^ a b Stone, Ken (February 6, 2020). "Common Sense Over Nonsense? Scott Sherman Explains Late Run for Mayor". Times of San Diego. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  60. ^ Bowen, Andrew; Tragesar, Claire. "Gloria Headed For San Diego Mayor Runoff; Sherman, Bry Battling For Second Spot". KPBS Public Media. No. March 4, 2020. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  61. ^ Garrick, David (March 6, 2020). "Sherman's lead over Bry shrinks in battle for second slot in mayoral runoff". San Diego Union-Tribune.
  62. ^ City News Service (March 16, 2020). "Bry Passes Sherman In Mayoral Race With Razor-Thin Margin". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  63. ^ Trageser, Claire (April 3, 2020). "It's Official: Next San Diego Mayor Will Be A Democrat". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  64. ^ "ELECTION HISTORY – MAYOR, CITY OF SAN DIEGO" (PDF). City of San Diego Official Website. San Diego City Clerk. Retrieved April 22, 2020.

External links edit

Official campaign websites
  • Barbara Bry for Mayor Archived February 22, 2020, at the Wayback Machine
  • Todd Gloria for Mayor