The husband of San Diego City Council President Sherri Lightner announced on Thursday he will run for her seat. Because of term limits, she can't run again.
Like his wife, Bruce Lightner is an engineer and longtime La Jolla resident.
"Although I had never considered running for public office before, I've decided to throw my hat in the ring because I feel so strongly about continuing Sherri's work as an independent, effective voice for our neighborhoods," Bruce Lightner said in a statement emailed to supporters.
He's a registered Republican, though under California law, local races are non-partisan. He'll run against entrepreneurs Barbara Bry, a Democrat, and Ray Ellis, a Republican, for the seat that represents Carmel Valley, La Jolla and University City.
If any candidate gains an absolute majority in the election on June 7, that person wins the race outright. If there's no absolute majority, the top two candidates face off in November.
Lightner, co-owner with his wife of Lightner Engineering, is an expert in onboard diagnostics systems for vehicles and holds numerous patents.
A fourth candidate for the seat is Louis Rodolico, a political novice who retired a few years ago after a career as a hospital architect.
The race is significant because it could shift control of the City Council from Democrats to Republicans.
