The City Council vote to confirm Todd Gloria as its new president was so certain Monday that his new nameplate was installed within two minutes of the 9-0 vote.
Councilmember Kevin Faulconer – once thought to want the job himself – nominated Gloria to succeed Tony Young, who is stepping down from the Council to run the local chapter of the Red Cross.
Faulconer, a Republican, has already run Council meetings when Young was absent over the last two years. Faulconer may have thought he would not win if the Council voted 5-4 in a straight party line as there are five Democrats and four Republicans, although Council races are not designated as partisan. Also, Faulconer has chaired the Audit Committee for the last three years and the Council president can’t chair the Audit Committee, as the president already chairs the Rules Committee, and Faulconer may have wanted to keep that committee assignment.
Democrat Gloria, 34, was re-elected in June without an opponent to represent the Third District. He worked for Rep. Susan Davis for many years before he was elected to the Council.
He becomes the first gay Council president since the post was created in 2005.
“He has been and will continue to be a strong supporter on many strong issues of reform and neighborhood revitalization,” said Faulconer, who asked fellow councilmembers for a unanimous vote.
“I know you’re going to accomplish a lot here,” said 9th District Councilmember Marti Emerald, who seconded the motion.
“When it comes to this job, Todd can do it all,” said 1st District Councilmember Sherri Lightner. “He understands policy and can explain it in ways that people can actually understand.”
“He’s going to do a wonderful job. I think the Council will galvanize behind your leadership,” said Young.
Mayor Bob Filner sent a representative to tell the Council of his support for Gloria.
“He is passionate about Balboa Park,” said 6th District Councilmember Lorie Zapf. “I’m very impressed with the work ethic, the passion, the intelligence, the commitment to the city.”
There were 18 speakers from the public and almost all of them praised Gloria, including heads of the United Veterans Council, the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and Dr. Delores Jacobs, the executive director of The LGBT Center.
“Todd has earned a reputation … for a brand of balance, of inclusiveness, of reasonableness, as well as a stunning smile,” said Jacobs, smiling.
“I’m looking forward for him to continue to champion affordable housing, fixing those streets, fixing those alleys and job creation,” said real estate agent Robert Ito.
Jarvis Ross told the Council he preferred Faulconer for the job, but said “listening to the public” was important. “We had one councilmember over several years who was into his laptop all the time,” said Ross, referring to Carl DeMaio, who did not run for re-election and lost the mayoral race to Filner.
“I’m incredibly honored to have the support of each member of this Council to take on this role,” said Gloria. “I take this role extremely seriously. I just want to say thank you.”
During the 55-minute praisefest – which Gloria counted to the minute – he was teased about his frequent comments about repaved streets being “sexy” and also about his staff being referred to as “The Todd Squad.”
Gloria also won the votes from two new councilmembers, Mark Kersey and Scott Sherman whom voters elected in June to the 5th and 7th Districts respectively.
Gloria will name the chairs for all the committees and appoint which councilmember will sit on which committee. He will be giving up his seat as chair on the Budget & Finance Committee, as he automatically will chair the Rules Committee.
