Monday morning, MSNBC News informed its national audience that in the upcoming mayoral race in San Diego, Kevin Faulconer had a “commanding lead over David Alvarez”. The Survey USA poll: Faulconer 53 percent; Alvarez 37 percent. While the election is about four weeks away, the last poll had them both tied.
So, what is the reason for Alvarez’s big drop in the polls? Many are questioning Alvarez’s lack of governing experience, leadership ability and many of his controversial votes. I believe David Alvarez is a decent man but is not ready to lead America’s eighth largest city. Many of Alvarez’s hard core backers are saying that Alvarez’s inexperience and youthful age (he is 33 years old) does not really matter because look at the success and confidence of our 35-year-old interim mayor, Todd Gloria! But there is only one problem … David Alvarez is definitely no Todd Gloria.
Yes, they’re both in their early 30s, but it stops there. Todd Gloria is more experienced, articulate and possesses more solid leadership qualities than Alvarez. Our city cannot afford “on the job” training in the mayor’s office!
Todd Gloria, in just the 4th grade, was a finalist for the citywide Mayor For A Day student competition. He was elected Madison High School’s student body president. He was ranked the highest ranking student cadet in the entire County of San Diego. Gloria was a national Truman Scholar. He was president of a major non-profit agency and the district director for Congresswoman Susan Davis and he has been twice elected president of the City Council.
Alvarez does not even come close to those accomplishments and experience. David Alvarez has not even completed one full term as a councilmember. In the far future he may be ready. But definitely not now. Kevin Faulconer is the current longest serving City councilmember and a past vice president of the Council and along with Todd Gloria, they have proved their leadership abilities working together during our city’s past mayoral scandal. Most San Diegans agree with the recent UT San Diego headline about Gloria and Faulconer: “They saved the city.”
And let me make something very clear to those trying to misrepresent Kevin Faulconer and his solid pro-LGBT equality record. He is not running for president or governor, but for the non-partisan office of mayor of San Diego, and he has proven already that he can bring people and neighborhoods together and has an outstanding record of working with Democrats and Republicans. I have worked with and advised the last six elected mayors of San Diego and, yes, now two acting interim mayors, (Atkins and Gloria). The choice has never been so perfectly clear – Kevin Faulconer is ready to lead San Diego and will indeed be a mayor for all San Diegans.
Big Mikes’ birthday bash
The entire community is invited to Big Mike’s annual legendary birthday bash that, for decades, has raised tens of thousands of dollars for various charities and non-profits. This year Big Mike will be celebrating his birthday Sunday, Jan. 26 at Harvey Milk’s American Diner in the heart of Hillcrest from 4-7 p.m. It will be a benefit for the Toni Atkins’ Women’s Health Fund, which assists our sisters in need of breast exams, etc. It will be another fun event with great food, entertainment and surprises. Your hosts will be: State Sen. Mary Block; State Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins; Assemblymember Lorena Gonzales; County Supervisor Ron Roberts; District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis; Interim Mayor Todd Gloria; Councilmember Kevin Faulconer; School Board President Kevin Beiser; County Commissioner Frank Lechner and the mayor of Hillcrest … yes, little ole me! So, see you all at Harvey’s Jan. 26!
Imperial Court deserves your support
For more than 40 years, the Imperial Court de San Diego has helped build and support our community causes and organizations. Yes, since the early 1970s, giving the seed money for many of our major organizations – all without paid staff or offices. Empress XLI Candi Samples and her year-long reign have resulted in more than $80,000 being raised by her court and the board of directors. The Imperial Court’s 42nd annual Coronation Gala will be held Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Lafayette Hotel on El Cajon Blvd. You are all invited to show your support and congratulate the all-volunteer court members. There will be visiting LGBT royalty from all across the U.S.A., Mexico and Canada. For more information, all tickets, tables or sponsorship call 619-254-6372 or 619-300-1232. That’s Feb. 8, for a night of pageantry, outstanding entertainment, pride and fun!
Gary Holt and the Chorus
Last issue, in my column I stated that the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus performed at the White House and Super Bowl under the direction of Gary Holt. In fact, it was Chris Allen who led the San Diego Men’s Chorus for those events. Apologies to Chris Allen for the misinformation given to me.
Nicole Murray Ramirez has been an award-winning columnist since 1973, and a Latino and gay activist for more than 40 years. He is currently a city commissioner and has served the last six mayors of San Diego. He is also a national board member of the Harvey Milk Foundation and chairman of the International Court Council of the USA, Canada and Mexico. Nicolemrsandiego@aol.com
Hi Nicole,
I couldn’t disagree more.
I AM VOTING FOR DAVID ALVAREZ.
Self- Appointed “Mayor” Nicole sings the praises of super-conservative Republican Kevin Faulconer. Nicole invites the Community to Big Mike’s Birthday bash with Faulconer as “Special Guest” at Harvey Milk’s Diner. And apparently the real progressive, David Alvarez, was not invited by the conservative hosts ?
Harvey Milk must be rolling in his grave.
Perhaps the Lincoln Club will make Nicole a Member? He would be a great fit. Koch brothers will invite Nicole to their next gathering at “Papa Doc” Manchester’s Del Mar Grande hotel ? It’s a free lunch. Maybe even a dinner !
Because we need Republican experience rather that a truly Progressive city government. According to Nicole, we need a Mayor who wants to veto the Barrio Logan Community Plan and make shipyard owners rather than residents in charge of local community planning ? According to Nicole, we need a mayor who opposes a fee of a per pennies per square foot a year on new commercial construction to fund affordable housing ? Nicole would have us vote for a Mayor who supports government by Referenda, mercenary signature-gatherers, and an agenda for the City driven by millionaires who support fraudulently-obtained signatures.
Nicole seems to have forgotten some lessons of his own productive history. He was a progressive in his day. Now he has moved sharply to the Right. He appears to like the warm comfort of the Past rather than the challenges of the Future.
We can and must do better than that. Faulconer represents the old guard of conservative Republican business leadership of San Diego. Doing what is best for them.
David Alvarez represents the new faces of the City. And a better future for all of us.
Harvey Milk was already rolling in his grave after a greasy diner was named in his “honor”.
Nicole has finally flipped her wig, and lets hope this is the last time as she rapidly approaches her Golden Years.
Kevin Faulconer’s track record as a SDSU Party School Student President hardly qualifies him as a leader of any renown.
His support of LGBT issues is a new found “hobby” of his in order to seek support for his Political ambitions. He has not shown a career long record of supporting our community and as was pointed out in the conclave of top GOP interests in town is simply a Non-Gay Carl DeMaio 2.0
Of all the Politicians of both parties that I photographed at the 2013 Pride Parade, Faulconer was the only one to hound me down for a photo-op until he asked me “Who you shooting for?” and backed off when I told him I was a freelancer. Guess he figured I couldn’t feed his ego needs to appear to be a friend of the Gay community. Never saw him again after that.
I am not sure why this “spokesperson” for our community still gets appointed as a Commissioner of whatever except to keep her occupied and out of the politicians hair. I know for a fact that many straight Donors to many LGBT worthy Charitable causes turn the other way when they see Nicole coming there way with her big and unpleasant mouthy comments.
It’s time for you to hang up your Crown,the time when Drag Queens ran our community are long gone, and so is your credibility with your comments.
Adios and Via con Dios
I would vote for Mickey Mouse before I would ever vote for Faulconer, and, and sad that you keep on telling people how great these GOP ‘mayors’ were or will be, sorry, would never vote GOP for any office, they offer nothing to real people and I’m starting to wonder if you are on thier payroll since you have been saying how great they are and sounding like Fox News, maybe its time for a ‘new mayor’ of Hillcrest as the negative vibe about anyone you aren’t getting conins from is getting stale, a progressive voice for ALL of San Diego, not just the rich and while you and the tea party hate Alvarez, the demograpics are not good for the tea party politicans like Faulconer or those who support them, which, sadly you seem to be one of.
Give me a break, mayor for ‘all San Diegans’ sounds like his speech writer came up with that folly and lie since he would be mayor for those who look like and think like him, shame on you for that drivel, shame on you.
Faulconer gets this lesbian’s vote!
As for Mr Ramirez, I really thought he had already gone someplace far away (I never ever read this column nor the published rag in which it appears). So what we have here is Mr Ramirez fronting for SDLCC. Mr. San Diego? Ummm, NOT! But nonetheless he is correct: Alvarez is wholly inexperienced and has a progressive agenda. He could run for president, though.
I don’t care if you think supporting a Republican for Mayor is OK because it is a non-partisan office and National issues don’t count. You have been around long enough to see the parade of Mayors and Councilmembers who use their offices as a stepping stone for “partisan” offices. When you support a local person for a local office, you are giving them the experience and reputation they need to move on after their terms are up . It’s very hard to get these folks to not be interested in higher office. Some of these people need to be cut off as soon as possible. I’m voting for Alvarez.
You’re correct, Nicole — David Alvarez is no Todd Gloria (thank goodness!)
David Alvarez is a community-minded Democrat who will be San Diego’s next mayor.
It seems that iMayor Todd committed a faux pas when giving the title “Mayor of Hillcrest” to Nicole. It’s a slap in the face to true Hillcrest activists and neighborhood leaders that their city councilman would have overlooked the many unnamed volunteers who are positive and constructive role models. Perhaps Todd’s not as good a politician as he thinks he is. I do know that I’m not the only Democrat who will never again vote for him.
….and I agree with the consensus…Harvey Milk would be rolling over in his grave to think that Nicole is supporting Kevin Faulconer. Talk about hypocrisy! There is no doubt that Harvey would be supporting David Alvarez for mayor, over Big Business, downtown insiders and the Republican Party’s hand-picked candidate.
If you’re concerned about neighborhoods (that’s ALL of us) having a voice in the next mayor’s office — please vote for David Alvarez…and take a friend to the polls with you!
I-Mayor Todd Gloria does NOT concur with Her Majesty Nicole: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/jan/17/todd-gloria–david-alvarez-mayor-endorsement/
Nicole, Why don’t you just join the Log Cabin Republicans and be done with it?
You honestly believe like your friends Carl Demaio and Bonnie Dumanis and putting your personal prerogatives ahead of the interest of the LGBT community.
LMAO. Todd Gloria endorses Alvarez.
Nicold don’t know diddly
Republican Kevin Faulconer has to pay his “neighborhood volunteers” $100.00 a day, and put them up in San Diego hotels because they do not even live in San Diego.
What does that tell you about his support ?? He can use business money to buy “volunteers” but no one really volunteers for his campaign.
Hummmm……….”In recent days, the Chamber’s group has paid $10,000 for phone banking on behalf of Faulconer, $20,000 for neighborhood canvassing and a little more than $38,000 for hotel room costs canvassers coming in to San Diego.” No similar paid “volunteers” or massive hotel costs for out of town mercenaries for David Alvarez. That should have been the lead on this story—but this is the Manchester UT Republican Rag. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/jan/18/surrogates-pour-money-into-mayoral-campaign/ .
Please “Share” this entire posting with your Facebook friends, and also POST it to Kevin’s Facebook page–make it go viral !! 2,000 + postings would be news .Let’s get the facts out. Here is the link :https://www.facebook.com/kevinfaulconer .
SHAME ON YOU NICOLE!
It looks like you and the other conservative FAT CATS of the Downtown Establishment got their way and now will have the best mayor money can buy.
Todd Gloria did the right thing by supporting Alvarez and you have done something shameful by selling out our LGBTQ community and backing a tea party Republican who is only recently pandering to the gays for our vote- let’s see how he does on our issues once he gets into office. Faulconer could care less about AIDS, trans youth or helping out with affordable housing for our most at-risk members. Furthermore, he is AGAINST A LIVING WAGE for some of our poorest LGBTQ families in San Diego- this isn’t a problem for you, however, Nicole. Must be nice. Your privilege blinds you and it’s time for you to STEP DOWN! That crown has gone to your head (literally and figuratively), honey! GET OUT OF BED WITH THESE RIGHT-WING HOMOPHOBES! Don’t let them keep feeding you this bulls**t.