(Photo: Councilman Brian Maienschein speaks during a press conference to announce he's running for the office of City Attorney. Alison St John )
San Diego City Councilman Brain Maienschein officially declared himself a candidate in the city attorneys race today. Maeienschein is the second member of the city council to formally throw his hat into the ring. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.
Maienschein joins city council president Scott Peters, former Assemblyman Judge Jan Goldsmith and two other local attorneys in a race that seeks to unseat incumbent Mike Aguirre.
Maienschein referred to the controversy that has swirled around Aguirre, who is often at odds with the city council.
Maienschein: San Diego needs a city attorney the people can trust.. as a business attorney I have the legal background that will bring the professional and independent voice to the office of city attorney10
Maienschein voted in 2002 to increase pension benefits and underfund the pension plan, leading to a billion dollar pension deficit.
He says that was just one vote among hundreds he’s taken in his 7 years on the council
Maienshein: Some I made mistakes on and there’s no question about that in my own mind but there’s a whole lot of them that I got right.
Maienschein says his votes since 2002 to solve the pension deficit should be weighed against that mistake. Alison St John KPBS News.