Wednesday was the first day for candidates to take out nomination papers to officially file for this year's elections in San Diego, and Mayor Kevin Faulconer was among those to do so.
As of 4 p.m., two candidates had taken out papers to challenge him for reelection — Gita Appelbaum, a nurse, and Steven Greenwald, who frequently offers public comment at City Council meetings, according to the City Clerk's Office.
Faulconer, a former City Council member, won a special election for mayor in 2014 to finish the term of the disgraced Bob Filner, who resigned in August 2013. Faulconer is frequently mentioned as a possible candidate for the 2018 governor's race.
Deputy City Attorney Mara Elliott and lawyer Bryan Pease took out papers for the City Attorney's race. City Attorney Jan Goldsmith is being termed out.
Lawyer Gil Cabrera, port Commissioner Rafael Castellanos, and county prosecutor Robert Hickey have been actively campaigning for the City Attorney's job.
Taking out papers for City Council races, according to the City Clerk's Office, were:
• District 1, where Sherri Lightner is being termed out — Barbara Bry and Ray Ellis;
• District 3, where Todd Gloria is being termed-out — Anthony Bernal and Chris Ward;
• District 5, a seat held by Mark Kersey — Keith Mikas and Frank Tsimboukakis;
• District 7, incumbent Scott Sherman and Jose Caballero; and
• District 9, being vacated by Marti Emerald — Sam Bedwell, Ricardo Flores, Georgette Gomez, Araceli Martinez and Tami Le Murillo.
Feb. 18 is the first day to file nomination papers. The deadline for turning them in is March 10.
The primary election is June 7.
