The San Diego Democrats for Equality wishes to join our progressive allies in thanking everyone who contributed in some small way to the campaign to elect our endorsed candidate for Mayor of San Diego, David Alvarez. It has been a difficult year for progressives; the challenges we faced were unprecedented. But those challenges did not stop us from organizing one of the most powerful on the ground campaigns we have ever seen during a special election in San Diego.Special elections have always been tough for San Diego Democrats but we stepped up because we had a candidate, in David Alvarez, who gave voice to the platform that the San Diego Democrats for Equality have defended for decades.
We joined forces in this campaign with our allies in labor and with numerous other allied community organizations, and were energized by the work we did together. Our own Christopher Ward organized the Mid-City campaign walks for David, and our own Toni Atkins provide intelligent and passionate leadership throughout this campaign. Our Interim Mayor, Todd Gloria, set out a progressive agenda, pulled this city together and worked diligently to elect David Alvarez. We have a right, no matter the outcome of the balloting, to be proud.
This campaign resonated well beyond the boundaries of our city. The endorsement by President Obama, who in March of 2012 took a courageous stand in defense of the rights of the LGBT community, made clear that we were not simply engaged in a political battle with local Republican leaders. From here we move forward, we learn the lessons we need to succeed in the next election, and armed with that knowledge we work to win our next campaign.
Carla Kirkwood, Ph.D.
Vice President for Political Action
San Diego Democrats for Equality
