Mayoral race coming down to the wire
With just days until San Diego's special mayoral election, the candidates are pulling out all the stops. On Thursday, Kevin Faulconer and his supporters were down at Harbor Island, while David Alvarez toured local universities.
Kevin Faulconer was surrounded by a crowd of supporters Thursday, many of whom were there to reinforce the campaign theme: Unity, leadership, and above all experience.
“One of the reasons we endorsed Kevin is because of his experience,” said Jeff Jordan of the Police Officers Association, “the experience that comes from having been there.”
“Kevin is the only candidate who has the experience to create good jobs,” said Dolores Chavez of the Latino American Political Association.
“He's a born leader,” said Mike Neil, a retired Marine Corps general. “It's not the time for a novice in this job.”
“As a council member Kevin worked with me to fix our city,” said SD Chamber of Commerce CEO, and former mayor of San Diego, Jerry Sanders. “As Mayor he will lead this city forward.”
“As we head into the final couple of days, I can't tell you how much your enthusiasm, your energy, and your support means to me,” Faulconer told his supporters.
There were cops, construction workers, hotel workers, shipyard workers, pastors, Latinos and Asians. A mosaic of people to emphasize unity.
“Its not about partisanship, its about leadership,” Faulconer said. “I'm ready to be your next mayor and together we're gonna have a great, bright San Diego.”
At the Price Center Plaza on the UC San Diego campus, college Democrats held a rally in advance of a campaign event for David Alvarez, who was accompanied by Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom. Newsom is young, charismatic and the heir apparent to Governor Jerry Brown. He was mayor of San Francisco at age 36, and scoffed at those who say David Alvarez is too young to lead San Diego. He was there to energize the Democratic base.
“This whole point… is to remind folks of the importance of next Tuesday,” said Newsom. “You've got to get out there and vote. If you have voted you have to encourage other people to vote.”
David Alvarez reiterated his life story rising from poverty to a seat on the City Council. He said he was afforded opportunity, but these days that opportunity, and the American dream, is fading.
“I want to make sure that every family here in San Diego no matter where you come from, no matter who you are, no matter what's going on in your life that you have that same opportunity,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez also stayed on message. He spoke about climate change, saying it's real. He wants clean cars, electric cars, solar panels on every roof and jobs. He champions investing in neighborhoods and raising the minimum wage.
“Those at the top are making more, and those at the bottom are making less, that's why I support increasing the minimum wage for our workers here in San Diego.”
In closing, he seemed to indicate he's playing catch up.
“Lets prove them wrong. Next Tuesday, Feb. 11th, I need your help. Get out and vote! Go and make your voice heard!”
