San Diego Mayor Faulconer Endorses Tuck In State Superintendent Race

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer waded into the contentious race for state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tuesday by endorsing challenger Marshall Tuck.

Faulconer issued his endorsement one week before voters go to the polls to choose between incumbent Tom Torlakson and Tuck, a charter school administrator. Both are Democrats.

"I believe our government should lift up our families and create opportunities for the next generation to succeed,'' Faulconer said. "I've led San Diego with that philosophy, and now it's time we take that same approach with California's public schools.''

Faulconer said he was offering a bipartisan endorsement "because our state faces major challenges that cross party lines, demographic lines and city lines.''

Paul Hefner, a spokesman for Torlakson's reelection campaign, said, "It's no surprise a Republican mayor who vetoes an increase in the minimum wage and cuts funding to libraries would endorse a former Wall Street investment banker for state superintendent.

"Superintendent Torlakson is happy to have the support of more than 400,000 classroom teachers and more than 100 education leaders across California who believe that an experienced classroom teacher and superintendent who supports investing in our schools is the better choice,'' Hefner said.

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Tuck's support of charter schools has drawn criticism from teacher's unions, which back Torlakson.

Faulconer is actively campaigning for Chris Cate, a vice president of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, in his race for City Council against education consultant Carol Kim. Last year, he offered support for ex-Councilman Carl DeMaio, a Republican, in his bid to unseat Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego.

A mayoral spokesman said no other endorsements by Faulconer are planned.