Harris' run for president puts spotlight on political relationship with Mayor Gloria
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Vice President Kamala Harris' abrupt presidential candidacy means Mayor Todd Gloria suddenly has a yearslong political ally in the expected nominee.
Why it matters: Harris and Gloria have supported each other's electoral pursuits since 2016, and his office argues that connection has already delivered results for San Diego.
Catch up quick: Gloria spoke to Harris in January, days after historic floods displaced thousands of families in southeastern San Diego. His office said that "direct line" led to the major disaster declaration that made residents eligible for federal assistance.
- Yes, but: As the Union-Tribune reported Sunday, hundreds of families are still reeling from the floods six months later, struggling to access available aid, or waiting on shelter beds or repairs that require landlord support.
Driving the news: Gloria endorsed Harris on July 21, the day President Biden dropped out of the race, and reiterated Sunday his support as a Democratic convention delegate, but the two have a lengthy history.
Flashback: Their alliance started ahead of the March 2016 primary, when Harris was California's attorney general running for U.S. Senate and Gloria was a city councilmember running for the state assembly.
- They held a joint get-out-the-vote walk to downtown businesses and handed out beignets to volunteers at Donut Bar.
- That September, Harris came to North Park to announce an education initiative with Gloria.
- "He is also trumpeting the success and innovation coming out of this beautiful region of our state," she said of Gloria. "You've got a jewel here in San Diego in this man."
Gloria endorsed Harris' unsuccessful 2020 presidential bid from the beginning, traveling to Oakland for its official launch in January 2019.
- After she dropped out of that race, she came to San Diego in March 2020 to boost Gloria's first mayoral campaign.
- "I have walked these streets of San Diego for years with Todd Gloria" she told volunteers. "He has always held people up on his shoulder… that's who he is by character, and nature."
The latest: Just last month, Harris attended a Rancho Santa Fe fundraiser with Gloria and U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs, calling him "what a mayor can and should be."
- In May, Gloria actually celebrated his birthday in Harris' home, where the vice president sang him a mostly-in-tune rendition of happy birthday, per a video viewed by Axios.
What they're saying: "It's all about having a direct line of communication to the people who can make decisions," said Gloria spokesperson Nick Serrano. "A hallmark of this administration has been the mayor's ability to get San Diego's fair share from Sacramento and D.C."
What we're watching: Serrano told Axios that Gloria is committed to serving San Diego for four more years as mayor, even if Harris considered him for an appointment in her administration.
- "The only job he wants and is seeking is mayor," Serrano said.