The 2016 San Diego mayoral election was held on Tuesday, June 7, 2016, to elect the Mayor of San Diego. Incumbent Kevin Faulconer ran for a second term as mayor against former San Diego City Council member Ed Harris and former California State Assembly member Lori Saldaña.

Municipal elections in California are officially non-partisan, though some candidates do receive funding and support from various political parties. The non-partisan primary was held Tuesday, June 7, 2016. Faulconer received a majority of votes in the general election, precluding the need for a November runoff.[1]

Candidates

Qualified

Campaign

In October 2015, Ocean Beach Town Council president Gretchen Newsom became the first major Democratic candidate to announce that she would challenge Kevin Faulconer's bid for re-election.[3] However, Newsom dropped out of the race only seven weeks after declaring her candidacy.[4]

In January 2016, former California State Assembly member Lori Saldaña announced that she intended to run for mayor against Faulconer. Although Saldaña had been a Democrat while in the state assembly, she subsequently left the party in September 2014 and intended to run for mayor as an independent.[5]

In March 2016, former San Diego City Council member Ed Harris declared his intention to run for mayor.[6]

General election

The general election was held on Tuesday, June 7, 2016.

Results

2016 San Diego mayoral election[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kevin Faulconer (incumbent) 181,147 57.2%
Independent Lori Saldaña 73,932 23.3%
Democratic Ed Harris 61,458 19.4%
Total votes 316,537 100.0%

References

  1. ^ Garrick, David (June 7, 2016). "Faulconer re-elected, Bry looks headed to runoff". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "San Diego's primary election ballot finalized". CBS8. March 25, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  3. ^ Garrick, David (October 26, 2015). "Democrat challenging Faulconer's re-election". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  4. ^ Garrick, David (December 11, 2015). "Newsom drops out of mayor's race". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  5. ^ Dillon, Liam (January 25, 2016). "Saldaña: Voters Deserve 'a Clear Contrast'". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  6. ^ "Democrat Ed Harris Enters San Diego Mayor's Race". KPBS. March 1, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  7. ^ "Election History - Mayor of San Diego" (PDF). City of San Diego. Retrieved March 26, 2016.