Race Takes Shape in District 4 as Candidates Step Forward

Two candidates who have run for the seat before have announced their candidacy

A formidable race is beginning to take place in San Diego's District 4, where a special election will soon be held to replace former council president Tony Young.

Young officially resigns at the end of the month and an election will be held within 90 days for his replacement. The city has not yet picked a date to hold the election.

Young announced last month he would be leaving the council to head the local American Red Cross. The organization said Young will receive a base salary of $190,000. 

Educator Dwayne Crenshaw announced his candidacy in a statement Tuesday for the district race. He faces an employment recruiter in the technology industry named Barry Pollard. Pollard ran unsuccessfully against Young in the district in 2010.

Pollard said this year will be different, and that he has a better understanding of the problems facing his district’s neighborhoods and how to solve them.

“I’ve gotten close to the organizations and the problems that have been identified in [District 4], such as working with the city budget trying to figure out why capital projects haven’t been done here,” he said.

Crenshaw also ran for the position in 2002 against Charles Lewis, whose death in 2005 led to Young’s election.

“I have lived, worked and fought for the neighborhoods of the 4th District for more than 37 years,” Crenshaw said in a statement. “I look forward to reaching out to the voters in the days ahead and asking them to join with me in continuing to fight for stronger neighborhoods with good jobs, quality schools and safe streets.”

Both Crenshaw and Pollard are native San Diegans.

The Registrar of Voters estimated that the election will cost upwards of $350,000 dollars, unless it's consolidated with a special State Senate election, such as the one to fill Juan Vargas’ seat. That date has not been set either. 

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