We now know for sure that the next mayor of San Diego will be a Democrat. The election results have been finalized, and state Assemblyman Todd Gloria and Councilwoman Barbara Bry will face each other in the runoff this November.
On Election Night, it was clear Gloria was headed to the runoff in November — he had about 40% of the vote.
But who his opponent would be was not at all clear. Republican Councilman Scott Sherman appeared to have won the second spot. But as votes continued to be counted over the following weeks, he lost his lead.
Now with election results finalized, another Democrat, Councilwoman Barbara Bry, has made the runoff.
In a message to supporters, she wrote, "We are entering uncharted waters, and more than ever, our City needs competent, experienced, and independent leadership to navigate the challenges we face."
Gloria wrote in a message that, "our campaign is thrilled by the results of the March Primary, and I am grateful for every San Diegan who honored me with their vote."
"Right now though, my single-focus is on keeping San Diegans healthy, safe, and protected from the coronavirus," he said. "There has never been a challenge San Diego could not overcome, and I know we will overcome this together."
Both candidates will have to re-imagine campaigning, with normal activities like debates, house parties and door-knocking being discouraged because of the coronavirus pandemic.
San Diego has a long history of Republican mayors. Congressman Bob Filner was the first elected Democrat for mayor since 1992 and only the city's second since 1971. He resigned in the first year of his term over sexual harassment allegations.
