Since 2008, Spotlight candidate Todd Gloria has been a fixture on San Diego’s political scene, holding numerous governmental offices and easily climbing the rungs of California’s political ladder. The next big step forward? Making history as San Diego’s first openly LGBTQ Mayor (he would also be the first person of color to hold the office).
Gloria is well-positioned to make LGBTQ history during his March 3rd primary election. He currently holds a substantial lead in the latest polling while out-raising his opponents. Before he makes history, Gloria took a brief break from campaigning to answer Victory Fund’s questions about his historic race.
Victory Fund: Who is your political hero?
Todd Gloria: Congresswoman Susan Davis. She was my youth mentor (met her at 14 years old). I worked for her for a decade in her Congressional office, and she has become like a second mother to me. We share a background in social work, which is a different approach to politics, but it has served us both well. Two pieces of advice she gave me: this is a lifestyle, not an job, and if we do this work right, we should listen more than we speak.
VF: What would it mean to the LGBTQ community in San Diego to elect an openly gay mayor?
TG: It wasn’t long ago that San Diego’s LGBTQ community couldn’t get a meeting with the mayor. In fact, our Stonewall Generation trailblazers say a former mayor claimed San Diego had no “homosexuals” and refused to issue a permit for the first Pride Parade. Now we have become a national leader on LGBTQ equality. This election would be historic and would cement the progress queer San Diegans have made over these many decades of hard work.
VF: What is your number one priority as mayor?
TG: To end chronic homelessness.
VF: What is your go-to snack on the campaign trail?
TG: French Fries and Diet Coke.
