A lifelong nonpartisan candidate is making a serious run for mayor of San Diego against the incumbent Democrat in a left-leaning city.

They’re both attorneys and they’re both Democrats, but beyond that Brian Maienschein and Heather Ferbert have worked hard to show voters they’re different candidates. Each, of course, says their strengths make them the ideal candidate for San Diego City Attorney.

Coleen Cusack is an attorney and homeless advocate challenging Councilmember Stephen Whitburn for his seat representing residents of San Diego District 3, who live in downtown and near Balboa Park.

Sean Elo-Rivera is running for re-election to represent the residents of District 9 in the City of San Diego. While he faces a challenger in Terry Hoskins, this is not expected to be a competitive race.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria is running for re-election and while he has a challenger in independent Larry Turner, a police officer and Marine veteran, the race is not expected to be competitive. He also is the only registered NPP (independent) running for a major office.

San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas is running for a second term to represent the residents of District 1. She is running against Alejandro Galicia, but he has not raised any money, giving Vargas an extremely easy path to re-election. 

Joel Anderson is running for a second term as county supervisor to represent the residents of District 2. The popular Republican and former assemblyman and state senator faces a modest challenge from Democrat Gina Jacobs, who has yet to hold public office.

There is no bigger race in San Diego than this one. On one side is the incumbent, progressive Democrat Terra Lawson-Remer, elected four years ago. On the other is moderate Republican Kevin Faulconer, the former popular mayor of San Diego who ran unsuccessfully for governor three years ago.

In May, IVN published a poll revealing that over 67% of voters in San Diego and Chula Vista supported the More Choice San Diego initiative to allow voters to rank up to 5 candidates in the general election, instead of choosing among two.

As it does each election cycle, Independent Voter News is bringing its readers extensive coverage of the most competitive elections in California, and how independent voters will decide the future of the Golden State.