San Diego City Wire

The San Diego City Council recently elected Jen Campbell as its new council president.

KUSI News reported that after a new San Diego Mayor and five new City Council members were sworn in, their first official act as City Council was to choose a new council president.

Campbell received a 5-4 vote, edging out fellow Democrat Monica Montgomery Steppe.

“Throughout my term, I’ve made it a priority to put the city’s best interest ahead of my own immediate political gain,” Campbell said while campaigning for the City Council president vacancy, according to KUSI News. “I’ve taken a pragmatic, objective approach to building coalitions and working with each of my council colleagues, despite our differences, to deliver positive outcomes for all of our communities.”

In a contentious decision process, the council listened to seven hours of public testimony from local residents who called into the virtual meeting. The vast majority of the approximately 300 participating residents lobbied the council to choose Steppe, believing that she would be a better leader and a more effective advocate for the issues of racial justice and social equity than Campbell, KUSI reporterd.

"Her response to social injustice has been long-lasting systemic change rather than anecdotes of explicit racism," a caller said in support of Steppe.

Residents who called in also accused Council members that supported Campbell of being influenced by special interests groups including the Chamber of Commerce and the San Diego Police Officers Association.

Adding to the contention, Campbell, a physician, made controversial statements in August that county sheriffs should arrest people who don’t wear masks or social distance, angering many beach goers and coastal residents.

Some critics of Campbell have stated that they will launch efforts for her recall now that the election is over.