So, the dust has finally settled on the San Diego mayoral race, and if you're looking for the short answer: Todd Gloria won. He didn't just win; he secured a second term with a pretty comfortable margin, officially putting to bed a campaign season that felt, at times, like a referendum on the very soul of the city.
It wasn't exactly a shocker for those following the money and the endorsements, but the road there was definitely more than a little bumpy. Gloria, a Democrat and a fixture in local politics, faced off against Larry Turner, a San Diego police officer and Marine Corps veteran who ran as an independent. While Turner managed to tap into a very real sense of frustration among residents, he couldn't quite overcome the incumbent's massive infrastructure of support.
The Final Numbers for San Diego Mayor
When the Registrar of Voters finished the grueling task of counting every last mail-in and drop-box ballot, the gap was clear. Todd Gloria pulled in 317,015 votes, which gave him roughly 55.3% of the total. Larry Turner finished with 255,782 votes, or about 44.7%.
A ten-point lead is solid. Honestly, it’s the kind of margin that lets a politician claim a mandate, though Turner's supporters would argue that nearly 45% of the city wanting someone else is a loud wake-up call. Turner actually held out hope for a while after election night, waiting for those late-breaking independent votes to tip the scales, but the math just wasn't there. He eventually conceded, acknowledging Gloria's "hard-fought re-election."
The turnout was interesting, too. We’re talking about over 622,000 voters casting ballots in the city. In a place where people often complain about apathy, San Diegans actually showed up for this one.
✨ Don't miss: The CIA Stars on the Wall: What the Memorial Really Represents
Why Todd Gloria Won (Again)
You've gotta look at the "incumbency advantage," which is a real thing in San Diego. Since the early 2000s, it’s been notoriously difficult to unseat a sitting mayor here. Gloria had the backing of the Democratic establishment, the labor unions, and a massive fundraising lead.
But it wasn't just about the money. Gloria leaned hard into his record. He spent the campaign talking about:
- Housing starts: Pushing for more density and "Yes In My Backyard" (YIMBY) policies.
- Road repairs: If you've driven on Miramar Road lately, you know the struggle, and Gloria made sure to mention every mile of asphalt he helped pave.
- The "Unsafe Camping Ordinance": This was a big one. He took a lot of heat from the left for banning encampments on public sidewalks, but it likely helped him win over moderate voters who were tired of seeing tents everywhere.
Basically, he framed himself as the guy doing the "boring but necessary" work of running a massive, complicated city.
The Larry Turner Factor
Larry Turner was a fascinating opponent. He didn't have the typical political resume. Instead, he had the "outsider" appeal. He’s a sitting police officer who essentially argued that the city was headed in the wrong direction under Gloria’s leadership.
🔗 Read more: Passive Resistance Explained: Why It Is Way More Than Just Standing Still
Turner's campaign was fueled by a massive, last-minute influx of cash—over $1.4 million—from a single donor, Steven Richter. This money flooded the airwaves with ads attacking Gloria on homelessness and crime. Turner argued that Gloria's housing policies were "oversaturating" neighborhoods without adding enough parking or infrastructure.
It resonated. Clearly. You don't get 44% of the vote in a deep-blue city like San Diego as an independent if you aren't hitting a nerve.
Misconceptions About the Race
Some people thought this was a strictly partisan "Democrat vs. Republican" fight. It really wasn't. Turner isn't a Republican; he’s an independent. While he certainly attracted the "anyone but Gloria" conservative crowd, he also picked up support from progressives who felt Gloria’s encampment bans were too cruel. It was a weird, "horseshoe theory" kind of coalition.
Another myth? That the race was "stolen" or "rigged" because of the slow count. San Diego always counts slow. It’s California—we love our mail-in ballots, and those take time to verify. The late votes actually trended slightly toward Gloria, not away from him, which is pretty standard for the region lately.
💡 You might also like: What Really Happened With the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz
What Happens Now in San Diego?
Now that the 2024 election is firmly in the rearview mirror and we are moving through 2026, the focus has shifted from winning to governing. Gloria is facing some pretty massive headwinds.
The state of California recently slashed $1 billion in homelessness funding down to zero in its latest budget cycle. This is a huge blow for San Diego, which has been relying on that "HHAP" (Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention) money to keep shelters running. In his recent 2026 State of the City address, Gloria was pretty blunt about it—he’s heading to Sacramento to beg, borrow, and steal whatever he can to keep people off the streets.
Actionable Takeaways for Residents
If you're a San Diegan wondering how this affects your daily life, here is what you should be watching over the next year:
- Monitor Your Local Planning Group: Gloria’s housing policies mean more "granny flats" (ADUs) and high-density apartments near transit. If you care about the character of your neighborhood, get involved in your local community planning group now.
- Report the Potholes: The city has a "Get It Done" app. Use it. The mayor made road repair a campaign promise; hold him to it by documenting the issues in your specific area.
- Watch the Budget: With state funding drying up, the city might have to make some tough calls. Keep an eye on City Council meetings regarding the "Megashelter" proposals and infrastructure bonds.
- Stay Vocal on Public Safety: Larry Turner’s strong showing proved that a huge chunk of the city is worried about police staffing and response times. Whether you voted for Gloria or not, continuing to pressure the administration on these metrics is the only way to ensure they stay a priority.
The election is over, but the work is definitely just starting. San Diego is a gorgeous place, but it’s expensive and complicated. Having a mayor in his second term means there are no more "first-term excuses" left—it’s all about results from here on out.
To stay informed on the specific budget shifts for 2026, you can visit the City of San Diego’s official budget portal to see exactly where your tax dollars are going this fiscal year.