Another brick in the Wall?
Only one candidate showed up for a San Diego mayoral debate scheduled for April 24, 2024.
Challenger Larry Turner was therefore given the floor and the entire debate time at the downtown University Club setting sponsored by the San Diego County Taxpayers Association.
An empty chair reserved for incumbent Mayor Todd Gloria occupied a spot in front the crowd.
The mayor’s campaign manager says Gloria only heard about the proposed debate on social media, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.
The newspaper also reported that a SCTA spokesperson says the mayor’s office was indeed formally invited, acknowledged the invitation and did not respond to several follow-ups.
Not participating in debates and ignoring queries from the public and the media has become standard fare for the mayor, who is running for a second term.
During the primary race, Gloria did not appear at any mayoral debates with three other challengers, including Turner, who finished second to Gloria. The two will go head to head in the November General Election.
Gloria skipped these primary election opportunities:
- February 18: War Memorial Building in Balboa Park (1-3 p.m.), for mayoral candidates and District 3 City Council candidates.
- February 22. Salvation Army Joan Kroc Theater (6:30-8 p.m.), by League of Women Voters San Diego/Neighbors for a Better San Diego)
- February 24. Porter Elementary School (6-8 p.m.), by Center on Policy Initiatives
- February 29. Hera Hub La Jolla (6-7:30 p.m.), by the San Diego chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners
Partially in recognition of Gloria’s unwillingness to face public scrutiny, a local group of media members recently singled out the mayor.
The San Diego Society of Professional Journalists gave the “Wall Award” to Mayor Gloria at its annual Walls & Windows event held on April 18.
The SPJ’s website notes that the Wall Award “goes to the person or public agency that made it difficult for journalists to do their jobs by ignoring information requests or otherwise compromising the public’s right to know.” SDSun
