San Diego City Council District 2, long a springboard to higher office, will see another interesting battle in 2010 when Councilman Kevin Faulconer (GOP) seeks a 2nd Council term.
Past council men and women from the Point Loma-based district were elected to other offices, and in some cases even those who LOST here then went on to future successes:
1971-79……….. Maureen O’ Connor……… Mayor of SD 1986-1992
1979-87……….. Bill Cleator………………… lost ’86 Mayor to Maureen
1987-94…………Ron Roberts………………. County Supe, 1995 – Now
Lou Ridgeway, a conservative GOP businessman who won the district twice against Ms. O’Connor but lost citywide in 1971 and 1975, later served 2 terms on the SD Community College Board from 1973 – 81. A great guy.
Kevin Faulconer COULD be the next name on the “promotions list”, but first he needs to win a 2nd and final council term next year.
His principal foe next year may be Pacific Beach Democratic activist Patrick Finucane, a protege’ of Labor chief Lorena Gonzalez, who her- self lost a race for the District 2 seat.
How serious is candidate Patrick Finucane? The liberal website “Democratic GAIN” carries this note this week, “signed” by Patrick Finucane. listing his website, and seeking a new campaign Hire:
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“Aggressive campaign for San Diego City Council seeking to hire a campaign manager. This is a district that was narrowly won a by a Republican (700 votes) in part because the prior Democratic councilman [ was indicted.] The Republican incumbent is the de facto heir to the Republican mayor. He will be well funded, but a defeat here would effectively derail his mayoralty.
Applicants must be willing to endure perfect weather in our beach-front district and be able to motivate volunteers to precinct walk despite the ever present allure of palm trees, beaches and a Pac- ific breeze.
Please email the campaign at info@patrickfinucane.com if you are interested. Salary will be based on experience. (1K to 2.5K a month)”
http://www.democraticgain.org/networking/opening.asp?id=69791
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PARSING THE ABOVE
A casual reader (like a college grad in Boston or Des Moines seeking a campaign job in sunny California) might well think it was the “Indicted Democratic councilman” who lost to Kevin Faulconer by just 700 votes !
No problem, the poor shivering snowbound guy or gal thinks… San Diego here I come!
But In fact, of course, Democrat Mike Zucchet RESIGNED in 2005 after a Federal jury convicted him on felony corruption charges… leading to a 2006 special election in which Lorena Gonzalez lost to Kevin Faulconer 15,044 to 14,320 [despite the untiring work of Labor Council allies to assist her].
That’s a little different scenario, isn’t it?
…. And based on experience, when you offer as little as $1,000 a month to manage a fairly major campaign, recent college grads with modest election experience are what you are going to get !
The primary election in this contest is still 9 months away, but the pre-primary game of winning endorsements and staking a Claim is ON…… Stay tuned for more updates….
Oh yeah… after the jury convicted Zucchet of “conspiracy, extortion and wire fraud” (per Associated Press) on July 18, 2005, the trial judge voided the Felony verdicts on November 10, 2005….. but only AFTER Zucchet had resigned his council seat.