San Diego mayoral candidate Barbara Bry conceded the election on Monday, clearing the way for challenger Todd Gloria to take the office and mark several firsts for the city.
Bry said she called Gloria on Sunday to congratulate him.
"But for the next few years, our city faces many challenges because of COVID-19, and Mr. Gloria will have a tough job. Thousands of San Diegans are unemployed through no fault of their own and city revenues are declining," Bry went on to say.
As of the latest tally, Gloria was ahead in the race by nearly 12 points.
Here's where the results stand now:
Gloria is set to become the first person of color and the first LGBTQ mayor for San Diego. He served as interim mayor when Bob Filner resigned and served two-terms on the city council before running for state Assembly.
In response to the concession announcement, Gloria thanked Bry and looked toward the future.
"I want to thank Councilmember Bry for her service to our City and I wish her and her family well. It is time to put the campaign behind us and come together as San Diegans to resolve the many challenges we face. Voters have embraced my vision of creating a City that works for all of us. It’s now time to turn that vision into reality. I am honored to be the next Mayor of San Diego," Gloria said.
As the first votes rolled in on Election Night, Democrat Gloria took an early lead against his challenger and appeared ready to claim victory in a speech to supporters.
"Tonight, San Diego, because of you, we are poised to make history," Gloria said hours after the polls closed. "While there are still votes to be counted, I believe that tonight is a night to celebrate."
Earlier in the evening, Bry said her campaign would continue to look closely at the votes in the coming days, but the gap never closed.
Bry, also a Democrat, was an entrepreneur before taking a seat on the San Diego City Council. When asked if she would consider running again, she said she planned to take time to spend time with family and doesn't think she will run for political office again, but added "you never say never."
San Diego is getting a new mayor after current Republican Mayor Kevin Falconer reached his two-term limit. His successor will face issues of homelessness, a housing crisis, police reform, and the largest budget deficit in the city's history, exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
"This is a time when people are expecting their city government to deliver for them and we need to do a lot more when it comes to homelessness, a lot more when it comes to infrastructure and repairing our roads and a whole lot more when it comes to housing affordability," Gloria said on Election Night.
Gloria is expected to be sworn in on December 10.
