Assemblymember Todd Gloria has won the San Diego mayor's race, holding on to an insurmountable and growing double-digit lead against his opponent, City Councilmember Barbara Bry.
Bry conceded Monday, saying in a virtual press conference that she had called Gloria on Sunday to congratulate him.
"I want to congratulate Todd Gloria as the next mayor of San Diego," Bry siad. "I know that he loves San Diego, the city where he was born."
Gloria will be San Diego's first openly gay elected mayor, the first of Filipino or Native American descent and the first Latino since California became a state. He will be only the third Democrat elected to the mayor's office since 1971.
Gloria released a statement after Bry's concession saying wished her and her family well.
"It is time to put the campaign behind us and come together as San Diegans to resolve the many challenges we face," Gloria said. "Voters have embraced my vision of creating a city that works for all of us. It’s now time to turn that vision into reality.”
Several factors indicate Gloria may have broad leeway to accomplish his agenda of boosting the housing supply, reducing car dependence and ensuring an equitable recovery from COVID-19. Gloria has deep knowledge of the city bureaucracy, having served for eight years on the City Council, including six months as interim mayor following the resignation of Bob Filner.
In addition, Gloria has a host of allies in city government. He won an early endorsement from the Municipal Employees Association, the union that represents many city workers. Also, Gloria will have an unprecedented 8-1 Democratic majority on the City Council and the support of City Attorney Mara Elliott, who won re-election in a landslide.
Bry indicated she would stay active in city politics "to empower residents and to compete with the special interests for a seat at the City Hall decision-making table."
