Politics & Government

Kersey Backs Faulconer in Mayor's Race

Councilman Mark Kersey said Faulconer is the candidate who can "roll up his sleeves with purpose and conviction."

Councilman Kevin Faulconer was endorsed for mayor of San Diego on Wednesday by his three Republican colleagues on the City Council.

The announcement came a couple of days after Democratic members Myrtle Cole and Marti Emerald threw their support behind Councilman David Alvarez.

The city of San Diego is at a "pivotal moment" following the scandals that led ex-Mayor Bob Filner to step down Aug. 30, Councilwoman Lorie Zapf said.

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"More than ever, we need to restore integrity and trust to the mayor's office," Zapf said. "We need a leader who can collaborate and deliver tangible results. Kevin Faulconer is that leader."

She said when the council members required leadership as Filner's administration crumbled, they turned to now-Interim Mayor Todd Gloria and Faulconer.

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He is also experienced in rebuilding the city government after a crisis, having joined the City Council amid San Diego's fiscal crisis that resulted in the resignation of another former mayor, Dick Murphy, Zapf said.

Councilman Mark Kersey said Faulconer is the candidate who can "roll up his sleeves with purpose and conviction."

Councilman Scott Sherman also threw his support to Faulconer.

Gloria has said he will concentrate on cleaning up mayor's office, so he does not plan to endorse any of the 11 candidates who have qualified for the Nov. 19 special election ballot.

On Tuesday night, Alvarez gained the backing of the San Diego County Democratic Party over two other mayoral hopefuls, ex-Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher and former City Attorney Mike Aguirre.

Alvarez also gathered the support of the Environmental Health & Justice Campaign, a nonprofit that advocates for the protection of public health and the environment in disadvantaged neighborhoods south of Interstate 8.

On Thursday, San Diego Democrats for Equality will hold a mayoral forum featuring Aguirre, Alvarez and Fletcher. The group made up of LGBT Democrats said it also might make an endorsement.

If no one wins more than half the vote in the special election, a runoff between the top two vote-getters would be held early next year.

-City News Service


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