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Mayoral candidate Larry Turner, left, challenges incumbent San Diego City Mayor Todd Gloria, right, for the city's top job. Source: Campaign Websites
Mayoral candidate Larry Turner, left, challenges incumbent San Diego City Mayor Todd Gloria, right, for the city’s top job. Source: Campaign Websites
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ANALYSIS: Did San Diego mayoral candidates tackle issues San Diego City College values most?

As mayoral race tightens, candidates address key issues, spar over the city’s future at first debate

The mayoral race in San Diego heats up as the political campaigns enter the final weeks before Election Day. 

Climate change and the environment are at the forefront of many voters’ minds this election season, with 51% of respondents to the City College Community Agenda survey listing it as one of their priorities, according to Oct. 1 data.

Based on the first of two scheduled debates, held Sept. 17 and hosted by ABC10 News, both incumbent Todd Gloria and challenger Larry Turner hold strong convictions about the direction of San Diego. 

The pair sparred over a number of issues, including affordable housing, homelessness, public safety and infrastructure – many of which have been on the minds of the City College community, according to the City College Community Agenda.

Gloria defended his record and laid out his plan for the future of San Diego under his continued leadership. 

Turner, who served in the Marine Corps and spent time working with the San Diego Police Department, would be stepping into his first public office if elected. 

As with the presidential debate on Sept. 10, City Times Media listened to this debate, identifying statements from the candidates that describe their plans for their potential administration. CTM listed these statements below, categorized by issues in the City College Community Agenda.

CTM did not list statements made by the candidates that did not address their plans or that were directed at the other candidate’s plans. The goal was to identify what the candidates wanted to accomplish.

The City College Community Agenda is an ongoing survey of City community members, in both English and Spanish, asking what issues and questions they want candidates to address as they compete for their votes. If you have not submitted your issues and questions to the survey, please do so today.

On the app? Can’t see the graphics below? Click here.

Members of the board of trustees and city officials join acting Community College District Chancellor Greg Smith, fifth from left, in striking the dirt during the groundbreaking ceremony at the site of San Diego City College’s future housing complex, Oct. 20, 2023. Photo by Luke Bradbury/City Times Media
Housing and Homelessness

Members of the board of trustees and city officials join acting Community College District Chancellor Greg Smith, fifth from left, in striking the dirt during the groundbreaking ceremony at the site of San Diego City College’s future housing complex, Oct. 20, 2023. Photo by Luke Bradbury/City Times Media
San Diego City College students Tanner Frank and Dahlia Davis walk along campus during the first of two storms that will hit San Diego beginning Thursday, Feb. 01, 2024. Photo by Marco Guajardo/City Times Media
Climate Change and Environment

San Diego City College students Tanner Frank and Dahlia Davis walk along campus during the first of two storms that will hit San Diego beginning Thursday, Feb. 01, 2024. Photo by Marco Guajardo/City Times Media
San Diego City College student Melissa Zuñiga, 24, reaches for cooked white rice in the Knight’s Table Food Pantry, Tuesday, January 30, 2024. This is Zuñiga’s last semester at City College. Photo by Keila Menjivar Zamora/City Times Media
Economy and Taxes

San Diego City College student Melissa Zuñiga, 24, reaches for cooked white rice in the Knight’s Table Food Pantry, Tuesday, January 30, 2024. This is Zuñiga’s last semester at City College. Photo by Keila Menjivar Zamora/City Times Media (Keila Menjivar Zamora)
Protest at County Administration Building
Criminal Justice

Protests for Black Lives Matter continue ten days after the killing of George Floyd, Thursday, June 4, 2020. Protestors wore face masks as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Melisa Cabello-Cuahutle/City Times (Melisa Cabello-Cuahutle)
What about the rest of our most important issues?

College Affordability and Access

The candidates did not address this during the debate. 

Gun Control

The candidates did not address this during the debate. 

Healthcare and Reproductive Rights

The candidates did not address this during the debate. 

Civil Rights and Inequalities

The candidates did not address this during the debate. 

Immigration Reform

The candidates did not address this during the debate. 

KPBS will host the second debate between the two candidates on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m.

Update, Oct. 10, 2 p.m.: Story updated to reflect new format.

Update, Oct. 15, 11:15 p.m.: Story updated to include link to graphics-friendly version.

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