Kevin Faulconer, the former mayor of San Diego and a Republican, has announced his candidacy for the San Diego Board of Supervisors District 3 seat in the upcoming 2024 election. The district covers Coronado to Carlsbad and is currently represented by Democratic Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, who is seeking re-election.
Before serving as mayor, Mr. Faulconer was a San Diego councilman from 2006 to 2014. His campaign website indicates that one of his main focuses is addressing homelessness in the county. He stated on Twitter, “As Mayor, I tackled homelessness by quickly opening shelters with safe, clean beds and making sure [homeless persons] had access to mental health services and drug and alcohol treatment. As Supervisor, I will aggressively build shelters to make sure every person has a safe place to wash, sleep, and get the help they need.”
During his tenure as mayor, Mr. Faulconer implemented measures that led to a decrease in homelessness. Point-in-time county data shows that homelessness declined by nearly 1,000 people to approximately 7,600. However, the 2023 count reveals that there are now over 10,000 homeless individuals in the county. Mr. Faulconer remains optimistic and believes that addressing the issue at the county level can yield positive results, as he expressed in a tweet, “While homeless populations were growing out of control in big cities across California, San Diego’s was actually reduced under my leadership. We can do it again, this time at the county level.”
In addition to his focus on homelessness, Mr. Faulconer’s campaign website outlines his goals of supporting the police force with increased funding and staffing, as well as working to lower housing costs for all residents in the county.
Notably, Ms. Lawson-Remer responded to Mr. Faulconer’s announcement on Twitter, stating, “Kevin Faulconer was a complete failure as Mayor… He has no moral compass.” It is evident that there is a difference in opinion and perspective between the two candidates.
This is not Mr. Faulconer’s first foray into politics. He also ran for governor of California in 2021 during the recall election against Gov. Gavin Newsom. Despite receiving only 8 percent of the vote, Mr. Faulconer remains committed to serving his community.
As the election approaches, San Diego residents will have the opportunity to assess the candidates’ plans and visions for the future of the county. Each candidate brings their unique perspective and track record, making it a crucial decision for voters.
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