San Diego Democrats Endorse Alvarez for Mayor

City Councilman David Alvarez's campaign to be San Diego's next mayor was endorsed Thursday by the San Diego County Democratic Party.

The announcement came after San Diego County Democratic Party members met Tuesday to decide which candidate would gain the endorsement. Alvarez received 62 percent of members' votes, officials with the San Diego County Democratic Party said.

"Central Committee members have developed strong relationships with David Alvarez over the years and appreciate his record of progressive votes and values,"  San Diego County Democratic Party Chair Francine Busby said. "We believe he will be an outstanding candidate and leader for our city."

If Alvarez does not advance to a runoff in the Nov. 19 special election, committee members said they would endorse any Democrat who makes it to the runoff.

Alvarez is also scheduled to receive the endorsement of the California Nurses Association Thursday afternoon.

Alvarez is one of eleven candidates qualified for the special election ballot, according to the City Clerk's office.

The list also includes former City Attorney Mike Aguirre, Councilman Kevin Faulconer, ex-Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher and Bruce Coons, executive director of the preservationist group Save Our Heritage Organisation.

Lawyer Hud Collins, business administrator and Realtor Harry Dirks, San Diego State University senior Michael Kemmer and, businessman Sina "Simon" Moghadam are also in the running, as are Tobiah Pettus, the only lesser-known candidate to make last year's primary ballot, and gun and personal rights advocate Lincoln Pickard.

-City News Service