Councilmember David Alvarez looks to increase GOTV on election day tomorrow
by Brian Leubitz
David Alvarez was a little behind the game when he squeaked into the second run-off spot for the special election after former Mayor Filner was forced to abdicate the post. Kevin Falcouner had a lead, and had mostly consolidated the Republican base in the city. On the other hand, Alvarez was coming off a contentious race against Republican turned Independent turned Democrat Nathan Fletcher. Fletcher endorsed Alvarez, and quietly stepped away from San Diego politics, leaving a lot of wounds to heal.
But, slowly that process has occurred and Alvarez is now showing strong support from Democrats and beyond. While iti is technically a nonpartisan race, the city of San Diego went strongly for President Obama in both 2008 and 2012. In 2012, over 61% of the vote went to Obama, and that makes the news of his endorsement in the race that much more powerful:
“As a native San Diegan, David Alvarez has been a fierce advocate for his city, and on the Council, has led efforts to build a strong middle class, put neighborhoods first and expand opportunities for kids in and out of school,” Obama said in a statement. “Today, with the city’s economy and neighborhoods poised to make progress there is no question that David is the right choice to be San Diego’s next mayor and I am excited to support him.” (KPBS)
But, there is a lot of work to be done. The race is a dead heat in recent polling, and turnout will be critical. You can make calls to help GOTV through the CDP here. Better yet, if you are in the San Diego area, there is simply no replacement for door knockers on election day. Click here for an event calendar and to get involved tomorrow.
When I was growing up in LA in the 60’s, San Diego was deep Republican
In the 70’s and 80’s the Mayor was Pete ‘White Power’ Wilson
Times have changed
Let’s hope that Alvarez can pull this off
‘White Power’ Wilson would be rolling in his grave !!
(‘still they come’)
Look, that San Diego elected a Republican Mayor, Falcouner, is a surprise but that the margin was so large is shocking. Here is what he had to overcome to defeat Alvarez:
1) Alvarez has a great story and was looking to become the first Hispanic Mayor of SD in well, maybe ever…
2) Alvarez brought in some big guns- Pres. Obama endorsed him, DebbieWS (head of the DNC) aided the campaign and San Antonio Mayor, Julian Castro, stumped for him.
3) The voters went 61% for Pres. Obama just 15 months ago.
4) Alvarez outraised and outspent Falcouner by over 25% (with huge local union support).
So what happened and how could the polls, which had the race much tighter, be so wrong?
Here’s my take: This was not a Party election. That is, the voters were interested in policy not party-affiliation. The voters knew Falcouner (on the City Council). Alvarez is so very young, 33, and does not have as impressive a resume as Falcouner. There was no wedge issue (Falcouner supports same-sex marriage). And I think that strong Union backing is not seen by Independents as a positive. Blank checks for pensions, disability and benefits have not worked out very well (look at SF Bay Area’s general indifference to BART employees’ cries of woe at their strike).
In any case, that there is any Republican momentum in California is upsetting. A missed opportunity that may bear watching. The largest city in the country with a Republican Mayor is now San Diego.
Look, that San Diego elected a Republican Mayor, Falcouner, is a surprise but that the margin was so large is shocking. Here is what he had to overcome to defeat Alvarez:
1) Alvarez has a great story and was looking to become the first Hispanic Mayor of SD in well, maybe ever…
2) Alvarez brought in some big guns- Pres. Obama endorsed him, DebbieWS (head of the DNC) aided the campaign and San Antonio Mayor, Julian Castro, stumped for him.
3) The voters went 61% for Pres. Obama just 15 months ago.
4) Alvarez outraised and outspent Falcouner by over 25% (with huge local union support).
So what happened and how could the polls, which had the race much tighter, be so wrong?
Here’s my take: This was not a Party election. That is, the voters were interested in policy not party-affiliation. The voters knew Falcouner (on the City Council). Alvarez is so very young, 33, and does not have as impressive a resume as Falcouner. There was no wedge issue (Falcouner supports same-sex marriage). And I think that strong Union backing is not seen by Independents as a positive. Blank checks for pensions, disability and benefits have not worked out very well (look at SF Bay Area’s general indifference to BART employees’ cries of woe at their strike).
In any case, that there is any Republican momentum in California is upsetting. A missed opportunity that may bear watching. The largest city in the country with a Republican Mayor is now San Diego.