The field of potential mayoral candidates is so packed, interim mayor and City Council President Todd Gloria expects to be leading San Diego for six months.
Fifteen people have submitted documentation to the City Clerk’s office showing an intention to run for the position left vacant by San Diego Bob Filner when he resigned Aug. 30 amid sexual harassment allegations.
Those candidates are Nathan Fletcher, Tobiah Pettus, David Tasem, Mark Schwartz, Jared Mimms, Kurt Schwab, Ashok Parameswaran, Paul Dekker, Hud Collins, Harry J. Dirks, Teresa Miucci, Michael Kemmer, Bruce Coons, Marcus Dunlap and Fred Hill.
The close of the nominating period is 5 p.m., Friday Sept. 20.
Carl DeMaio announced Tuesday that he will continue his campaign for U.S. Congress instead of joining in the race for the San Diego mayor's seat.
"The Republican brand has a major problem. Primarily due to the actions of national party leaders," he said Tuesday. "In the days and weeks after that election, I concluded and I committed that I did not want to see any other good candidates lose an election because of a tarnished party brand."
City Councilmember Kevin Faulconer, who has suggested he's considering a run for mayor, is planning a public statement Wednesday. Local GOP leadership Tweeted a statement applauding Faulconer's potential decision to run for mayor.
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Former City Attorney Mike Aguirre told NBC 7 on Friday he intends to run for the office. He has not filed any documentation with the City Clerk's Office as of Tuesday morning.
San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts announced Tuesday he would not campaign for the mayor's seat.
Last week the San Diego City Council approved Nov. 19 as the date of the special election. The city charter requires a special run-off election be held within 49 days of the special election however, there may be problems holding to that schedule. With state requirements for results certification, early voting and mailing ballots to troops overseas, the city clerk said a date for any necessary run-off election will be determined later.
Gloria released a statement following DeMaio's news conference saying he will not be running for mayor at this time.
"Thank you to the many supporters who have called and emailed, urging me to run. I am deeply appreciative of your help and guidance," Gloria wrote.
Gloria appeared on NBC 7 News Today Tuesday and listed his priorities as interim mayor as clearing away a backlog of business stalled during the Filner administration, celebrating the central library opening and promoting a convention center expansion.
“In this time, as a home-grown San Diegan I just want to do what I can to help fix my city,” Gloria said.
