San Diego Recall Campaign Targets Mayor Todd Gloria
A coalition of local Democrats has filed paperwork to oust the mayor, facing a 120-day deadline and an estimated cost of up to $2 million.
By Tyler Khalil ·
San Diego residents face a potential new election on city leadership following the filing of a recall petition against Mayor Todd Gloria. The move seeks to remove the mayor from office before the end of his term, a process that requires gathering a specific number of valid signatures from registered voters.
The recall effort was initiated by a group led by attorney Geneviéve Jones-Wright, along with Kathleen Harmon, Terrie Best, Donnetta Moore, and Shelby Huffaker. All are Democrats, like Gloria. The group submitted initial papers noticing the recall in the week preceding the filing. In a statement, the group cited a loss of confidence in Gloria's competence, leadership, judgment, and candor.
Public dissatisfaction with City Hall has risen due to several factors. These include a new trash collection levy, perceived overcharging for that service, parking fees at Balboa Park, persistent homelessness, and budget shortfalls that have led to service reductions. Campaign polls indicate that public opinion of Gloria and City Hall has reached low levels.
The timeline for the recall is tight. The group has 120 days from November 3 to collect signatures, but they cannot begin circulating petitions until near the end of the month. This deadline was chosen to tie the signature threshold to the voter registration numbers from the 2024 general election. This requires the collection of 122,936 valid signatures, representing 15% of the city's registered voters at that time.
Political professionals estimate the cost of qualifying the measure will range between $1 million and $2 million. The price per signature could vary from just under $10 to $20. The cost depends on timing and competition from other ballot petitions. The group has a limited window to complete this task before the holiday season, which typically slows political activity.
Jones-Wright stated that the group has received substantial pledges from organizations and groups but declined to name them until the recall committee is officially formed. She described the support as bipartisan, noting that Republicans, independents, and Democrats are getting behind the effort. The group aims to avoid a situation where a high-profile Republican wins the replacement vote by default, a scenario seen in previous recall elections.
If the recall qualifies, the election could not take place until well into 2027. Gloria is currently slated to leave office at the end of the following year. The recall campaign comes as a surprise to some political allies, including progressives and unions that have previously supported the mayor.
Jones-Wright, who ran for mayor in 2024, said she does not want to run for office again. She is a supporter of District 4 City Councilmember Henry Foster. Gloria had previously worked with other groups to oppose Foster, a move that created friction within the local Democratic establishment. The recall effort now places the mayor's position in question while the city navigates its upcoming election cycle.
