In an already crowded field of candidates for the San Diego Mayoral election 2012, word has now come that California State Senator Christine Kehoe is making calls to San Diego movers and shakers about possibly joining the race.
District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis is already considered a clear front runner candidate, along with heavy-hitters State Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, City Councilman Carlo DeMaio – all Republications – and Democrat Congressman Bob Filner.
Elected to the State Senate in 2004 and re-elected in 2008, Kehoe represents the 39th Senate District which includes much of San Diego, the cities of Del Mar, Lemon Grove, and neighboring communities. Due to term limits, she is not eligible for re-election.
Prior to being elected to the Senate, Kehoe served two terms as State Assemblywoman representing the 76th District from 2000 through 2004. Prior to being elected in that role, Kehoe served seven years as City Councilwoman representing San Diego’s 3rd District, which includes the Hillcrest and North Park areas.
Kehoe’s record as San Diego City Councilwoman will definitely be put under a microscope, including votes for the Charger’s ticket guarantee and her pension fund votes, as well as her record in the State Assembly and State Senate. Word is that many Democratic party officials and labor leaders have been searching for a viable Democratic candidate in this non-partisan race, with many privately voicing their concerns about Filner being able to pull it off.
A mayoral race that would include two lesbian women (Kehoe and Demanis) and one gay man (DeMaio) will definitely put a spotlight on the LGBT community in a way never before.
Awesome. Sign me up for a fundraiser or whatever else it takes to get Christine Kehoe into the Mayor’s job!