San Diego City Wire

Former San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer announced this week that he has formed an exploratory committee for a potential run for governor of California in 2022.

“We are taking the important next step which is announcing and opening an exploratory committee, which gives us the opportunity to start organizing, to start raising dollars, and this a committee that is focused on 2022 but should the recall be successful, be ready before then,” Faulconer told KUSI News.

A recall effort against current California Gov. Gavin Newsom is pushing forward and the organizers need 1.5 million signatures by March 17 for a recall election to be held this year, SF Gate reported. If the recall fails, Newsom is expected to run for re-election in 2022.

Faulconer, considered a moderate Republican, stated in recent weeks his desire to seriously challenge Newsom for the governorship.

"It’s a new year. We need a new governor," Faulconer tweeted last Saturday. "Jobs are leaving, homelessness is skyrocketing, and the state can’t even issue unemployment checks to people struggling right now to get by. California is better than this. Join me in signing the recall petition."

If a recall election occurs, Faulconer may stand the best chance of election as the first ballot question would be a simple "yes" or "no" vote on whether Newsom should be recalled, SF Gate reported. The second item on the ballot would be for Newsom’s presumed replacement. If the "yes" on the second item wins, Newsom would be disqualified and his successor chosen from others on the ballot.

Faulconer vacated his seat Dec. 10 to Democrat Todd Gloria, San Diego City Wire previously reported. He told KUSI News two days earlier that he reflected on what it means to end his time as mayor in the age of COVID-19.

"There's no doubt in my mind that we are going to get over this," Faulconer said during the news broadcast. "We will get through this because of the perseverance, of who we are as San Diegans."

"I really tried to set the tone as mayor," Faulconer told KUSI News. "When I came in at a very difficult time some years back, [my goal was] bringing our city together. Making that focus of one San Diego a reality. As I look back on a lot of the accomplishments, a lot of people get the credit. My job, again, was to work with folks - I don't care if you were a Republican or a Democrat or independent - what was the best thing we should be doing for San Diego."

Faulconer also said he focused on infrastructure and tried to reduce homelessness, worked on public safety in attempts to make San Diego "one of America's safest cities."

Faulconer was sworn in as mayor in February 2014, but did not seek re-election this year. Prior to being mayor, he represented District 2 on the San Diego City Council for 12 years.