San Diego in Trouble, Voters Apathetic

SAN DIEGO—City Hall is in trouble and few seem to care. With no elected mayor until November, two empty city council seats due to felony convictions, and at least a $1.4 billion pension deficit, you might expect citizens to voice some concern.

Yet, out of nearly one million eligible to vote, about 264,000 citizens of America's seventh largest city went to the polls on Tuesday.

Tuesday's special election was held after Mayor Dick Murphy resigned amidst City Hall scandals, including a $1.4 billion dollar pension deficit, felony indictments of six pension board members, ongoing federal investigations, the federal trial of two City Councilmembers, and a Time Magazine article naming Murphy among the three worst mayors in the United States.

Murphy's designated replacement, Deputy Mayor and City Councilman Michael Zucchet, was found guilty on July 18th of conspiracy, three counts of extortion, and five counts of wire fraud. Fellow City Councilman and co-defendant, Ralph Inzunza, was also convicted of conspiracy, nine counts of wire fraud and three counts of extortion.

The new mayor will inherit a financial crisis that includes the pension deficit, a suspended city credit rating, bonds in danger of dropping to junk bond status, and an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

San Diego citizens face unfunded or cut municipal programs. For example, if the city is unable to comply with the federal mandate to upgrade its wastewater system, San Diego will lose federal funding. Unrepaired potholes and slashed community programs are examples of ways in which citizens are directly affected.

Democrat, City Councilwoman and surf shop owner, Donna Frye, drew 43 percent of the votes. Republican and former police chief, Jerry Sanders, won 27 percent.

Spending at least $2 million of his own money on his campaign, San Diego businessman Steve Francis finished a close third, with nearly 24 percent of the vote. Eight other candidates split the remaining votes.

A simple majority is required to win the special mayoral election. Consequently, a run-off election between the top two candidates, Frye and Sanders, will take place on November 8th.

Just eight months ago, San Diego voters cast the most ballots in favor of Donna Frye in her bid for mayor against incumbent Dick Murphy. However, more than 5,000 votes were disqualified because voters wrote in her name but failed to fill in the bubble, enabling Murphy to win the election.

"I'm a patient woman. One of the things I've learned over the years is that patience is power. We appreciate the support of San Diegans and we'll work hard to get the votes we'll need by November," Frye said at a rally on Tuesday.

"I'm looking forward to the run-off, said Sanders. "The November election will offer the voters a very clear choice in what direction they want to take the city. It will be an opportunity for voters to compare the two candidates."

With only 28% of those eligible to vote participating in this election, the will of the people remains unclear. While the city faces unprecedented challenges, and citizens have much at stake, one can only wonder why more San Diegans aren't going to the polls.