1992 San Diego mayoral election explained

Election Name:1992 San Diego mayoral election
Flag Image:Flag of San Diego, California.svg
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1988 San Diego mayoral election
Previous Year:1988
Next Election:1996 San Diego mayoral election
Next Year:1996
Image1:File:Susan Golding.jpg
Nominee1:Susan Golding
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:222,603
Percentage1:52.0%
Nominee2:Peter Navarro
Party2:Independent (politician)
Popular Vote2:205,448
Percentage2:48.0%
Mayor
Before Election:Maureen O'Connor
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Susan Golding
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

The 1992 San Diego mayoral election was held on November 3, 1992 to elect the mayor for San Diego. Incumbent mayor Maureen O'Connor chose not to run for reelection.

Municipal elections in California are officially non-partisan, though some candidates do receive funding and support from various political parties.[1] The non-partisan primary was held June 2, 1992. Peter Navarro and Susan Golding received the most votes and advanced to the November general election. Golding was elected mayor with a majority of the votes in the November election.

Candidates

Campaign

Incumbent mayor Maureen O'Connor announced in her 1990 State of the City address that she would not run for reelection, but would focus instead on political reforms including giving future mayors more power.[3] She declined to endorse any of the candidates vying to replace her.[4] Among the primary candidates, County Supervisor Susan Golding and City Councilmember Ron Roberts ran on their experience in local government. Economist Peter Navarro and businessman Tom Carter ran as political outsiders. Navarro also emphasized his advocacy for slow-growth policies as chairman of the grassroots organization Prevent Los Angelization Now! (PLAN).[5] Navarro considered himself a conservative Republican, but had changed his affiliation to independent prior to the primary election.[6]

In the primary election held June 2, 1992, Navarro placed first with 38.2 percent of the vote followed by Golding with 31.1 percent. Trailing far behind were Roberts with 16.4 percent, Carter with 9.8 percent and scattered votes for other minor candidates. As the top two vote-getters, Navarro and Golding advanced to the November ballot. Golding was then elected mayor with 52 percent of the votes on November 3, 1992.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: How to Run for Office. March 4, 2017. The City of San Diego-Office of the City Clerk.
  2. News: Braun. Gerry. Golding atop pack for mayor - But Hedgecock could overtake front-runner. San Diego Union-Tribune. February 12, 1992. A-1.
  3. News: Smolens. Michael. Mayor now mum on earlier won't-run vow. March 4, 2017. San Diego Union. July 10, 1991.
  4. News: Huard. Ray. O'Connor not planning to back anyone in mayoral primary. March 4, 2017. San Diego Union-Tribune. May 28, 1992.
  5. News: McKinnie. Ruth L.. Navarro narrows Golding lead -- a near tie - Mayoral momentum is with economist. March 4, 2017. San Diego Union-Tribune. May 31, 1992.
  6. News: Larson. Thomas. Elections San Diego Style. March 18, 2017. San Diego Reader. October 28, 2004.