San Diego City Wire

Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced Monday he will run for governor just a month after he formed an exploratory committee.

Faulconer, a Republican, will challenge Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is facing a potential recall election over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine distribution and school and business closures.

Faulconer announced on his website his bid for governor, FOX 40 reported. 

"The 36th mayor of San Diego, Kevin Faulconer, is running for governor to restore California’s promise of liberty, equality and opportunity. He has earned a reputation for returning ethics and integrity to public service and putting people above politics by focusing on the issues that matter to Californians," Falcuoner announced on his website.

Faulconer said he and his family have been affected by Newson's "chaotic pandemic response." A small business owned by his wife, Katherine, has been devastated by COVID-19, and his children who attend public schools have been affected as there have been no in-person classes since last year. 

"From bringing California’s second largest city back from the brink of bankruptcy to getting San Diego back on track after it was rocked by a corrupt mayor, Kevin Faulconer is tested and ready to keep leading," a post on Faulconer's website said. "As America’s only big city Republican mayor, he’s shown he can turn government around and return its focus to what’s important: serving you. As governor of California, Kevin Faulconer will work for us – and restore balance to our state."

Newsom, who announced he will run for re-election, is facing a potential recall election and supporters are confident they will get the required signatures for a special vote.

Two of the leaders in the recall effort against Newsom told San Diego City Wire they are on target to get the required 1.5 million signatures by the March 17 deadline.

“Extremely confident, very confident,” chief proponent Orrin Heatlie, a retired sergeant, told San Diego City Wire. “We will run all the snakes out of the state capital by St. Patrick’s Day.”

San Diego continues to face challenges after Faulconer left as mayor.

One is a lease-to-buy property deal that could cost taxpayers hundreds of millions. The lease deal signed under Faulconer was questioned by a report by the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst, reported San Diego City Wire. The building is valued at $62 million, but taxpayers could pay as much as $127 million in lease payments over the next 20 years. 

The building is also contaminated with asbestos, and costs for cleanup could be as high as $145 million. A major donor of Faulconer also profited $5 million from the deal. 

Another matter is a bid for the city's gas and electric franchises, which still has not been resolved. Last year, before he left office, Faulconer opened bidding for the city's franchises, hoping it would attract interest from energy companies, San Diego City Wire reported. No bids have been received, and a winning bid would require two-thirds vote of the San Diego City Council.

A San Diego politician who served with Faulconer on the San Diego City Council told San Diego City Wire that Faulconer would be a disastrous choice as the Republican nominee for governor in 2022. 

Carl DeMaio said Faulconer doesn’t stand for conservative principles and would not push for needed reform.