In a closely followed mayoral race, Todd Gloria has secured his position to lead San Diego for a second term, defeating Larry Turner with 55.4% of the vote. As KPBS reports, Turner, a Marine Corps veteran, and San Diego police officer, brought in 44.6%, according to live election results updated at noon Today.
Turner, who ran a campaign described as grassroots and was supported by a coalition that extended across the political spectrum, conceded the race in a social media post, thanking supporters for uniting "for the good of our community." Despite being outspent, the campaign's close election margin speaks volumes compared to other high-profile campaigns in the region. Turner expressed humble gratitude and continued commitment to serving as a police officer. "It was a privilege to run for Mayor of our amazing city, and it is a privilege to continue to serve San Diegans as your police officer working hard to keep you safe," Turner proclaimed in his concession via social media X post.
Todd Gloria's victory marks a continuation of San Diego's progressive direction, with every elected office in the city held by a registered Democrat since 2022, the mayor's win solidifies that trend and carries with it expectations to increase the city's housing supply, an issue that Gloria championed along with his previous initiatives related to homelessness and the city's relatively low crime rate as per information obtained by KPBS.
However, the election was not without its complexities, as Turner had accused Gloria's policies of leading to oversaturated communities, and he opposed mandates implemented by Gloria, such as the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for city employees. Turner posited that these stances exacerbate pressing city concerns, such as a shortage of police officers. Despite Turner's critiques, the financial backing he received from influential donors, such as Steven Richter, who endowed conservative groups like the Lincoln Club of San Diego pushing Turner's campaign, was insufficient to sway the election. "The most important office, and the one which all of us can and should fill, is that of private citizen," Turner quoted in his concession via social media X post, indicating his recognition of the role even a losing candidate continues to play in civic life and in shaping discourse around critical issues facing San Diego.
