2013–2014 San Diego mayoral special election explained

Election Name:2013–2014 San Diego mayoral special election
Flag Image:Flag of San Diego, California.svg
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 San Diego mayoral election
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2016 San Diego mayoral election
Next Year:2016
Election Date:November 19, 2013 and February 11, 2014
1Blank:Vote
2Blank:Percentage
Image1:File:Kevin Faulconer Portrait (1).jpg
Candidate1:Kevin Faulconer
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
1Data1:153,491
2Data1:52.9%
Candidate2:David Alvarez
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
1Data2:136,701
2Data2:47.1%
Map Size:180px
Mayor
Before Election:Todd Gloria (acting)
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Kevin Faulconer
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

The 2013–2014 San Diego mayoral special election was a special election to elect the Mayor of San Diego. The election was made necessary by the resignation of Bob Filner on August 30, 2013.[1] The winner stood to serve out the balance of Filner's term, which ended in 2016.[2]

The election was nonpartisan, in accordance with the California Constitution,[3] and candidates appeared on the ballot with no party affiliation, although most chose to state a political party affiliation.[4] A primary election was held on November 19, 2013. Since no candidate received a majority of the vote in the first round, a runoff election was held between the top two vote-getters on February 11, 2014.[5] In the runoff, Kevin Faulconer defeated David Alvarez.

Filner's resignation

In July 2013, Filner was accused of sexual harassment by multiple women. Despite continuing pressure to resign, he remained in office until he and the city reached a mediated agreement in August 2013, under which he agreed to resign and the city of San Diego agreed to help pay his legal fees.[6] According to the city charter, Todd Gloria, the president of the San Diego City Council, served as interim mayor until a new mayor was sworn into office.[7]

Candidates

Declared

Declined

Special election

In the special election held November 19, 2013, Kevin Faulconer received 43.6 percent of the vote and David Alvarez received 25.6 percent. The two of them advanced to a runoff election on February 11, 2014. Nathan Fletcher narrowly missed the runoff with 24.3 percent of the vote, just as he had when he previously run in the 2012 mayoral election. Mike Aguirre placed a distant fourth with 4.4 percent. The other eight candidates each received less than 1 percent of the vote each.[14]

Results

Although local elections are officially non-partisan per the California constitution, major candidates typically publicly align themselves with political parties. Therefore, political preference of candidates is indicated in the table below where it is known.

Special run-off election

On February 11, 2014, Kevin Faulconer received 52.9 percent majority in the run-off vote and was elected Mayor of San Diego.

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Kevin
Faulconer
David
Alvarez
Undecided
SurveyUSAalign=center February 3–6, 2014align=center 639align=center ± 4% align=center47%align=center 46%align=center 7%
SurveyUSAalign=center January 20–23, 2014align=center 646align=center ± 3.9% align=center49%align=center 44%align=center 7%
Public Policy Pollingalign=center January 13–14, 2014align=center 526align=center ± 4.3%align=center 45% align=center46%align=center 9%
SurveyUSAalign=center January 4–9, 2014align=center 800align=center ± 4.3% align=center53%align=center 37%align=center 10%
SurveyUSAalign=center December 2–5, 2013align=center 515align=center ± 4.4% align=center47%align=center 46%align=center 7%
SurveyUSAalign=center November 11–14, 2013align=center 510align=center ± 4.4% align=center51%align=center 38%align=center 11%
SurveyUSAalign=center October 28–31, 2013align=center 550align=center ± 4.3% align=center52%align=center 36%align=center 12%
SurveyUSAalign=center October 7–10, 2013align=center 513align=center ± 4.4% align=center44%align=center 35%align=center 21%
SurveyUSAalign=center September 19–23, 2013align=center 527align=center ± 4.4% align=center38%align=center 35%align=center 26%
With Aguirre
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mike
Aguirre
David
Alvarez
Undecided
SurveyUSAalign=center November 11–14, 2013align=center 510align=center ± 4.4%align=center 29% align=center46%align=center 25%
SurveyUSAalign=center October 28–31, 2013align=center 550align=center ± 4.3%align=center 31% align=center43%align=center 26%
SurveyUSAalign=center October 7–10, 2013align=center 513align=center ± 4.4%align=center 23% align=center46%align=center 31%
SurveyUSAalign=center September 19–23, 2013align=center 527align=center ± 4.4%align=center 32% align=center40%align=center 28%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mike
Aguirre
Kevin
Faulconer
Undecided
SurveyUSAalign=center November 11–14, 2013align=center 510align=center ± 4.4%align=center 28% align=center55%align=center 16%
SurveyUSAalign=center October 28–31, 2013align=center 550align=center ± 4.3%align=center 25% align=center59%align=center 16%
SurveyUSAalign=center October 7–10, 2013align=center 513align=center ± 4.4%align=center 27% align=center53%align=center 20%
SurveyUSAalign=center September 19–23, 2013align=center 527align=center ± 4.4%align=center 35% align=center42%align=center 23%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mike
Aguirre
Nathan
Fletcher
Undecided
SurveyUSAalign=center November 11–14, 2013align=center 510align=center ± 4.4%align=center 30% align=center46%align=center 24%
SurveyUSAalign=center October 28–31, 2013align=center 550align=center ± 4.3%align=center 27% align=center54%align=center 19%
SurveyUSAalign=center October 7–10, 2013align=center 513align=center ± 4.4%align=center 25% align=center54%align=center 20%
SurveyUSAalign=center September 19–23, 201align=center 527align=center ± 4.4%align=center 23% align=center53%align=center 24%
With DeMaio
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Carl
DeMaio
Nathan
Fletcher
Undecided
SurveyUSAalign=center July 16–18, 2013align=center 564align=center ± 4.2%align=center 41% align=center42%align=center 16%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Carl
DeMaio
Donna
Frye
Undecided
SurveyUSAalign=center July 16–18, 2013align=center 564align=center ± 4.2% align=center51%align=center 33%align=center 16%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Carl
DeMaio
Todd
Gloria
Undecided
SurveyUSAalign=center July 16–18, 2013align=center 564align=center ± 4.2% align=center50%align=center 29%align=center 21%
With Fletcher
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
David
Alvarez
Nathan
Fletcher
Undecided
SurveyUSAalign=center November 11–14, 2013align=center 510align=center ± 4.4%align=center 38% align=center42%align=center 20%
SurveyUSAalign=center October 28–31, 2013align=center 550align=center ± 4.3%align=center 31% align=center51%align=center 18%
SurveyUSAalign=center October 7–10, 2013align=center 513align=center ± 4.4%align=center 29% align=center49%align=center 22%
SurveyUSAalign=center September 19–23, 2013align=center 527align=center ± 4.4%align=center 24% align=center52%align=center 24%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Kevin
Faulconer
Nathan
Fletcher
Undecided
SurveyUSAalign=center November 11–14, 2013align=center 510align=center ± 4.4% align=center47%align=center 38%align=center 14%
SurveyUSAalign=center October 28–31, 2013align=center 550align=center ± 4.3% align=center46%41%align=center 12%
SurveyUSAalign=center October 7–10, 2013align=center 513align=center ± 4.4%align=center 36% align=center46%align=center 17%
SurveyUSAalign=center September 19–23, 2013align=center 527align=center ± 4.4%align=center 30% align=center44%align=center 26%
SurveyUSAalign=center July 16–18, 2013align=center 564align=center ± 4.2%align=center 24% align=center50%align=center 26%
With Frye
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Kevin
Faulconer
Donna
Frye
Undecided
SurveyUSAalign=center July 16–18, 2013align=center 564align=center ± 4.2% align=center40%align=center 37%align=center 23%
With Gloria
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Kevin
Faulconer
Todd
Gloria
Undecided
SurveyUSAalign=center July 16–18, 2013align=center 564align=center ± 4.2% align=center36%align=center 30%align=center 34%
With Goldsmith
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Nathan
Fletcher
Jan
Goldsmith
Undecided
SurveyUSAalign=center July 16–18, 2013align=center 564align=center ± 4.2% align=center47%align=center 28%align=center 25%

Results

Notes and References

  1. News: Special election to replace Filner set for November 19 . August 28, 2013 . KFMB-TV . August 30, 2013 . August 1, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170801032700/http://www.cbs8.com/story/23278149/developing-city-council-to-decide-on-special-election-date . live.
  2. News: Kevin Faulconer elected next mayor of San Diego, will finish Filner's term. February 12, 2014 . San Diego 6 – the CW . 16 February 2014. February 22, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140222004217/http://www.sandiego6.com/story/kevin-faulconer-elected-next-mayor-of-san-diego-will-finish-filner-s-term-20140212 . live.
  3. Web site: California Constitution Art. 2 Sec. 6 . State of California . February 14, 2014 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101008203818/http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/.const/.article_2 . October 8, 2010 . mdy-all.
  4. Web site: Republican Kevin Faulconer Wins Mayoral Race in San Diego . February 12, 2014 . Michael . Warren . www.weeklystandard.com . February 12, 2014 . February 22, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140222040653/http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/republican-kevin-faulconer-wins-mayoral-race-san-diego_781494.html . live.
  5. Web site: Council sets Feb. 11 for special mayoral election. Re-elects Gloria as Council president . Neal . Puttnam . December 19, 2013 . . December 20, 2013 . July 6, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140706053516/http://lgbtweekly.com/2013/12/19/council-sets-feb-11-for-special-mayoral-election/ . dead.
  6. Web site: Perry . Tony . Bob Filner to resign as part of a sexual harassment lawsuit deal . Los Angeles Times . August 22, 2013 . August 23, 2013 . August 23, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130823135445/http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-filner-20130823,0,6836106.story . live .
  7. Web site: Fry . Wendy . San Diego Mayor Bob Filner to Resign | NBC 7 San Diego . Nbcsandiego.com . July 22, 2013 . August 23, 2013 . August 22, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130822192759/http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/San-Diego-Mayor-Bob-Filner-to-Resign-220675401.html . live .
  8. News: 11 qualify for ballot in SD mayor's race. September 24, 2013. UT San Diego. September 24, 2013.
  9. Web site: San Diego Mayor: Who's In, Who's Out, Who's Undecided? . KPBS . August 26, 2013 . August 28, 2013 . August 27, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130827131041/http://www.kpbs.org/news/2013/aug/26/san-diego-mayor-whos-whos-out-whos-undecided/ . live .
  10. Web site: Jessica Taylor . What's next after Filner, and what his resignation means for control of Congress – First Read . Firstread.nbcnews.com . August 23, 2013 . August 26, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130826072955/http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/23/20154107-whats-next-after-filner-and-what-his-resignation-means-for-control-of-congress . live .
  11. News: Carl DeMaio won't run for mayor of San Diego. September 3, 2013. The Washington Post. September 3, 2013. October 22, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131022012435/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/09/03/carl-demaio-wont-run-for-mayor-of-san-diego/. live.
  12. News: Former Councilman Carl DeMaio, Supervisor Ron Roberts will not run for San Diego mayor. September 3, 2013. ABC 10 News. September 3, 2013. December 3, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203005130/http://www.10news.com/news/local-politicians-expected-to-make-announcements-on-bids-for-san-diego-mayor-todd-gloria-carl-demaio-090313. live.
  13. News: Matt Romney, Mitt's son, decides not to run for mayor of San Diego . . August 30, 2013 . August 31, 2013 . August 31, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130831135837/http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-matt-romney-san-diego-mayor-20130830,0,1012920.story . live .
  14. News: San Diego mayor race: Alvarez, Faulconer expected to meet in runoff. November 19, 2013. ABC 10 News. November 20, 2013. December 3, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203091734/http://www.10news.com/news/special-election-2013-san-diego-mayor-race-results-11192013. live.