Democratic Council President Tony Young is resigning from the San Diego City Council to go work as the new Chief Executive Officer for the San Diego Chapter of the Red Cross.
The move comes just as Democrats were poised to take over the governing majority at City Hall. Democrat Bob Filner was recently elected mayor and the party was going to have a majority on the upcoming City Council.
Young said he's excited about the job.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to serve the residents of the region in a special way," Young said.
The move will officially be announced in a news conference with the Red Cross on Friday.
Young’s term does not run out until 2014. Because he is resigning with more than a year left in office, the City Charter says a special election must be held. It must take place within 90 days of Young’s resignation date.
Young represents San Diego’s District 4, which includes neighborhoods in Southeast San Diego. The area has been reliably Democratic in the past.
Council member salaries are capped at about $75,000. Past Red Cross CEOs have made over $300,000 with incentives.
