Marine veteran and San Diego police officer Larry Turner announced his bid to run for Mayor of San Diego in the 2024 elections yesterday. Turner, a registered Independent, aims to challenge Democrat incumbent Todd Gloria and to unite the city across party lines by prioritizing its most pressing needs. According to the Times of San Diego, Turner believes in "skipping the partisan politics" and has identified homelessness as the number one issue to be addressed.
Turner's background in the Marines, where he served as a platoon commander and company commander, instilled in him a strong sense of leadership and decision-making prowess. His work in the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) as a community relations officer and a former SWAT team member has given him a deeper understanding of the everyday challenges faced by the city, particularly in regard to the ongoing homelessness crisis. As reported by The San Diego Sun, Turner insists that his experiences in the armed services and as a police officer have provided him with the unique qualifications necessary to address San Diego's issues effectively and compassionately.
In contrast to Todd Gloria, Turner is adamant that he is not a career politician and does not plan to use the mayoral position as a stepping stone to higher office. As he told The San Diego Sun, "I have no aspiration of moving on to anything else. I want to fix my city and be done."
Turner's mayoral campaign prioritizes resolving issues with homelessness, restoring law and order, and stabilizing the rising costs of living. He calls for a more comprehensive approach to support the homeless population, stressing the need for additional shelter beds, the employment of social workers, and the creation of a mega-sized triage facility. Another San Diego Sun article detailed Turner's plans for tackling law and order, advocating for more police officers and focusing on violent crimes and weapons on the streets.
