SAN DIEGO -- Multimillionaire businessman Steve Francis officially announced his candidacy for mayor on Tuesday.Watch Video"Months ago, I began the process of meeting with my fellow San Diegans, including neighborhood associations, community organizations, planning groups and citizens throughout San Diego. The message I received was loud and clear. San Diego wants and needs new leadership to restore fiscal integrity, ethics and transparency in government," Francis said, standing in front of his company, AMN Healthcare, in Carmel Valley.
Francis ran for mayor in the 2005 special primary, finishing third, behind Mayor Jerry Sanders and City Councilwoman Donna Frye in the November runoff.Francis vowed not to accept campaign contributions from special interests and to remain independent. If elected, he said he would accept only $1 a year as salary."I want it to be clear from day one that I answer to the people of San Diego. They're my boss," Francis said.Francis has said that Sanders has not delivered on his 2005 campaign promises of reforming City Hall and restoring the public trust in municipal government."I was with him almost every day during the campaign and debates, and it was very tough talk. And after he was elected, nothing happened," Francis told NBC 7/39 on Monday.Francis said he is prepared to spend plenty to offset Sanders' advantage of incumbency. During the 2005 campaign, he spent more than $2 million, most of it his own money.Previous Story:
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