UPDATE: 5:24 p.m., Nov. 4, 2020
Incumbent Mara Elliot has defeated challenger Cory Briggs in the race for San Diego City Attorney.
UPDATE: 11:55 p.m., Nov. 3, 2020
Incumbent Mara Elliot on Tuesday night has claimed victory over challenger Cory Briggs for City Attorney.
"When I was elected four years ago, I pledged to put the people of San Diego first, and that's just what we've done," Elliott said in a statement.
"With the help of our terrific team in the City Attorney's office, San Diego is a leader in reducing gun violence, helping domestic violence victims, and holding corporate polluters accountable. We moved quickly to protect public health during the pandemic and we've made it a priority to safeguard taxpayer dollars. I'm humbled and grateful that the people of San Diego have placed their trust in me to fight for them for another term."
As of 10:15 p.m. Tuesday night, Briggs has yet to concede.
Elliott, the first Latina and woman to hold the office of San Diego’s top lawyer, boasts a successful record tightening gun regulations and providing resources for domestic abuse survivors,
“We have a nationally recognized restraining order program that has removed over 600 guns from the street from people who are threatening suicides, domestic violence or mass shootings,” she said.
Briggs, however, accuses her of prioritizing political interests over her legal duties.
“She didn’t want to create chaos for the people who run city hall,” he said. “She’s not looking out for the taxpayers.”
Briggs blames Elliott for approving the lease-to-own agreement for 101 Ash St., which has proven to be a disastrous real estate deal for the city.
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Elliott has said the deal was approved before she entered office. Briggs, meanwhile, points out that his opponent’s name is on the contract. Elliott said she only finalized the purchase, which had been fully negotiated before she entered office. She said she had “no reason to second guess” the contract.
Elliott describes Briggs as chaotic and emotional. She said she trusts voters to choose the more level-headed candidate to serve the legal interests of San Diegans as the city navigates pandemic recovery.
