California Apartment Association

Republican mayoral candidate Kevin Faulconer — supported by the California Apartment Association — sailed to victory earlier this month in a run-off election to lead San Diego.

On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the 47-year-old former public relations executive won with 54 percent of the vote, compared with about 46 percent for Democratic opponent David Alvarez.

Faulconer’s triumph follows the resignation last year of Bob Filner, which set the stage for a classic political battle between unions and the business community.

The victory by Faulconer will make San Diego the largest city in the country run by a Republican mayor. Already, chatter has begun over Faulconer becoming an important and pivotal leader in rebuilding the tattered Republican Party in California.

The push to keep San Diego pro-housing and pro-business is certainly buoyed by Faulconer’s win, however, the forthcoming political battles in San Diego cannot be ignored.

Even though San Diego has a strong-mayor form of government, an anti-housing and anti-business City Council could significantly impair Faulconer’s pro-business agenda.

The first test regarding the composition of the San Diego City Council will play out this June, when voters decide the fate of two crucial council seats.

CAA will keep you apprised of developments as they occur in San Diego.