San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer touted America's Finest City to several national news outlets Tuesday. During a trip to New York City, the mayor made several media appearances to promote economic opportunities in San Diego. He also discussed vaccinations, and — yet again — whether he's going to run for Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer's seat now that she's announced plans to retire.
Faulconer is visiting the East Coast with the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp. On Thursday, he will participate in a Brookings Institution panel with London Mayor Boris Johnson.
The interactive forum on promoting innovation and trade will be streamed online at 11 a.m. People following along can participate on Twitter using the hashtag #GlobalCities.
Beginning with CNBC's Squawk Box, Faulconer was asked where he stood on potential legislation to do away with exemptions for vaccinations.
"I think it's incredibly important that you do that and I think that should be the case, yes. Absolutely," the mayor said after repeated questioning from co-host Andrew Ross Sorkin.
During the five-minute segment, the mayor also discussed the importance of settling tensions at West Coast ports, benefits of San Diego's relationship across the border and keeping the Chargers in San Diego.
You can watch the full interview with Faulconer on Fox 5 San Diego's website.
On Wall Street Journal Live, Faulconer elaborated on the economic perks of being so close to the U.S.-Mexico border.
"We’re the largest region of medical device manufacturing on the planet," he told host Tanya Rivero.
Faulconer said some products are produced in both San Diego and Tijuana.
"Sometimes parts cross several times — that's exactly what we want to see," Faulconer said.
Faulconer pointed to his recent partnership with Tijuana Mayor Jorge Astiazarán.
"We’re having our own city staffs have regular meetings how we can make sure we’re doing the right things on economic development, transportation and infrastructure, environment, water quality," he said.
Faulconer agreed when Rivero asked if San Diego could serve as a “blue print” for other border cities like El Paso and Juarez.
"It is,” he said. "It’s about cooperation. It’s about collaboration."
The mayor also said he supports comprehensive immigration reform.
“We have to get that done as a nation, but we’re not letting that stop us in San Diego in terms of our relationship, which is extremely strong with Tijuana and northern Baja," he said.
The mayor rounded out his Tuesday morning with Mark Crumpton on Bloomberg's "Bottom Line."
Faulconer told host Crumpton that San Diego's military presence plus concerns over the security of information online has transformed into job growth for the region.
"Just Mark, over the last several years, we've had growth in cyber security 13 percent, year over year," he said.
Crumpton also asked the mayor about his decision to veto the city's minimum wage increase, which was forced to the 2016 ballot after a successful referendum.
"San Diego is one of the wealthiest cities in America, it couldn't handle a minimum wage increase?"
Faulconer said he wanted to create a "level playing field" so San Diego's wages and prices don't differ from other cities.
"What I'm focusing on is making sure we're growing careers in San Diego that provides people a ladder up to success, not just a temporary success but really long-term lasting success," he said.
Crumpton asked Faulconer about San Diego's relationship with Tijuana, federal infrastructure spending and if he has plans to seek Boxer's seat.
With a laugh, the Republican said, "No, I'm interested in doing exactly what I'm doing."
