San Diego City Council Member Todd Gloria has announced his candidacy for the State Assembly’s 78th District, raising questions about who will challenge Mayor Faulconer next year.
"Together, we have stabilized the City's budget, advocated for housing, protected our environment, and stood up for working families. I want to continue that progress as San Diego's voice in our State Capitol," Gloria said in his announcement Tuesday.
Gloria currently represents San Diego’s 3rd District, which includes downtown San Diego, Balboa Park, Bankers Hill, Hillcrest, Mission Hills, Normal Heights, University Heights, North Park, South Park and Old Town. He was first elected to the council in 2008 and will be termed out in 2016.
California’s 78th Assembly seat is currently held by Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, who also previously served on the San Diego City Council. She is leaving because of term limits.
“Todd is a dynamic leader who has an in-depth knowledge of San Diego’s challenges and opportunities, and he has a strong love for our community,” Atkins said Tuesday in a spirited endorsement of Gloria’s candidacy. “I have great respect for Todd’s ability to bring people together — a quality that will serve him well in the Legislature.”
Democratic activist Sarah Boot, who announced her bid for the seat earlier this year, dropped out of the race Tuesday and endorsed Gloria as well. Other candidates include former interim Council Member Ed Harris, a Democrat, and business consultant Kevin Melton, a Republican.
Tuesday’s announcement has prompted speculation and intrigue in the City of San Diego, as Gloria was considered a likely challenger against Republican Mayor Kevin Faulconer in 2016. Atkins herself has been mentioned as a possible contender.
Read more about Todd Gloria’s announcement here.