Another high-profile elected official has endorsed Councilman Carl DeMaio's candidacy for mayor of San Diego.
District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, whose own candidacy for mayor was unsuccessful in the June primary, announced her support for DeMaio Monday afternoon.
Dumanis held off on endorsing a candidate since her loss in June. However, on Monday, she told reporters she was motivated to make an exception by her distaste for DeMaio’s opponent, U.S. Rep. Bob Filner.
Dumanis said DeMaio has “shown great leadership on both fiscal reform and job creation initiatives,” but did not elaborate on her reasons for supporting her fellow Republican. DeMaio also received a late endorsement from Mayor Jerry Sanders.
“I did not intend to endorse in this race, and have only made endorsements in extraordinary situations,” Dumanis said in a statement. “However, Bob Filner’s troubling pattern of erratic behavior has convinced me he simply lacks the judgment and temperament to be our Mayor.
Click here to watch Filner defend his behavior during an NBC 7 debate.
“Bob Filner is disruptive, disrespectful and demeaning, especially to women,” she continued.
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She recalled many instances in which Filner was dismissive when talking to her. She also described him as “arrogant” and “a bully.”
Dumanis also said Filner insulted a group of female deputy city attorneys who were attending a recent forum on domestic violence, by asking if he could fire them if he were mayor.
“He asked [the attorneys] in only the way that Bob Filner can, in his intimidating, angry, hostile voice -- if the mayor could fire them, in that office,” Dumanis said. “That is unacceptable."
The endorsement could have damaging effects on Filner’s support. Polling numbers indicate that likely voters who supported Dumanis in the primary are leaning toward Filner.
“This is a critical moment for San Diego and we cannot afford to see Bob Filner push our city backwards into the dysfunction and division of the past,” Dumanis said.
The Filner campaign responding by mentioning his endorsements from state Attorney General Kamala Harris and18 local women who hold, or have held, prominent government posts.
Team Filner also observed that DeMaio hasn't been endorsed by leading fellow Republicans, including the county's supervisors, sheriff or treasurer.
