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Fourth District Councilmember Myrtle Cole made history Monday as she became the first African American woman to become city council president.
Cole was elected in a 6-3 vote edging out Eighth District Councilmember David Alvarez.
The vote came after numerous speakers sought to persuade councilmembers to vote for Cole or Alvarez, who are both Democrats.
The four Republicans on the Council voted for Cole along with First District Councilmember Barbara Bry and Cole herself. The motion was brought by Mark Kersey, who represents the Fifth District and was seconded by Bry, who noted it was her first vote after being sworn in earlier Monday.
Voting against Cole was Alvarez, Third District Councilmember Christopher Ward, and Ninth District Councilmember Georgette Gomez.
Labor groups on both sides came out to support both Cole and Alvarez. The Democrats have a 5-4 majority on the Council as the Democrats who were termed out were replaced by Democrats.
Rev. Shane Harris, who was profiled in the Nov. 23 issue of LGBT Weekly, endorsed a vote for Alvarez whom he said spoke out against racial profiling by police. Harris noted he had earlier criticized Cole for a statement she made during a public meeting some months ago that Harris said was favorable about racial profiling. Both Harris and Cole are African Americans.
Alvarez thanked all the people who came to support him. He said he has been transparent in seeking the position of council president in his final two years on the Council. Alvarez also said he greatly respects Cole, who also thanked her supporters.
Alvarez lost the 2013 special mayoral election against Kevin Faulconer following the resignation of Bob Filner.
