City Councilman Todd Gloria has endorsed his former opponent, Stephen Whitburn, to unseat Gloria’s longtime political ally, Supervisor Ron Roberts, in the Nov. 2 election.
Whitburn announced the endorsement in a press release this morning. Gloria represents nine neighborhoods within the supervisorial district Whitburn is vying to win. The district stretches from University City to Paradise Hills.
Last month, Gloria said he was undecided about the race and didn’t know whether he would make an endorsement. In the press release today, Gloria said he endorsed Whitburn because he would “bring energy, commitment and new ideas to this important position.”
Gloria defeated Whitburn two years ago in a costly City Council campaign between the two Democrats. Roberts, a Republican, supported Gloria throughout his political career and endorsed him over Whitburn in the council race.
Gloria is the third City Council member to public support Whitburn, joining Donna Frye and Marti Emerald. Councilman Tony Young, who also represents several neighborhoods in the district, has declined requests to discuss the race.
For Whitburn, Gloria’s endorsement adds the support of another elected leader in the local gay community, which has been divided over the race. Whitburn is gay, but Roberts has also been a supporter of LGBT rights.
Please contact Keegan Kyle directly at keegan.kyle@voiceofsandiego.org or 619.550.5668 and follow him on Twitter: twitter.com/keegankyle.