David Alvarez (politician)

Early life

Alvarez was born in San Diego to Jose and Maria Alvarez and has four brothers and one sister. He grew up in Barrio Logan. He attended local public schools: Perkins Elementary, Memorial Junior High, and San Diego High School. He was the first in his family to graduate from high school and college. He graduated with honors from San Diego State University. Alvarez, his wife Xochitl, their daughter Izel, and their son Javier reside in Logan Heights.

He began his career as a social worker and after-school teacher. In 2003, he was selected to the Capitol Fellows Program where he served under the California Secretary of State. After his return to San Diego, he worked with a company that develops new opportunities for affordable housing. He later represented California State Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny as a community liaison.

Political career

Alvarez was elected to the San Diego City Council in the 8th district in November 2010, defeating Felipe Hueso with 60% of the vote. The 8th district included the neighborhoods of Barrio Logan, Egger Highlands, Grant Hill, Logan Heights, Memorial, Nestor, Ocean View Hills, Otay Mesa East, Otay Mesa West, San Ysidro, Sherman Heights, Stockton, as well as the Tijuana River Valley.

During his first term, he served as Chair of the Natural Resources & Culture Committee, Vice Chair of the Land Use & Housing Committee, and a member of the Budget & Finance and Rules & Economic Development Committees. Additionally, he served on the San Diego Regional County Airport Authority, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Board, SANDAG Borders Committee, Otay Valley Regional Park Policy Committee, Bayshore Bikeway Working Group, and the San Diego Consortium Policy Board. He also served on the Board of Directors for Local Progress, a national municipal policy network.

In September 2013, he declared his candidacy for mayor of San Diego. He was the officially endorsed Democratic candidate in the special election to replace Bob Filner. In the primary election held November 19, 2013, he came in second with 25.59 percent of the vote. A runoff election against fellow city councilmember Kevin Faulconer was held February 11, 2014, and Faulconer defeated Alvarez.

In 2014 he ran for re-election to represent District 8, and won outright in the June primary, drawing 75% of the vote. His second term started in December 2014.

In January 2017, Alvarez announced his intention to run for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors representing District 1 in 2020 when incumbent Greg Cox is termed out of office. However, since he would be termed out of office from the City Council prior to 2020, Alvarez chose to run for the San Diego Community College District Board in 2018. Alvarez was ultimately unsuccessful in the election, finishing second to Sean Elo.

In 2019, Alvarez attended a meeting about an SDG&E project and supported its approval, which may have violated city ethics guidelines on former elected officials affecting city decision-making.

Electoral history

San Diego City Council

San Diego Mayor

California State Assembly

Vacancy resulting from the resignation of Lorena Gonzalez

Notes

References

References

1. (2022-01-05). "With Gonzalez resigning, two big names vie for her Assembly seat".
2. "David Alvarez biography". City of San Diego.
3. (November 3, 2010). "Lorie Zapf, David Alvarez Head Toward Victory In SD City Council Races". KPBS.
4. Lebron Kuhney, Jen. (November 12, 2010). "S.D. City Council May See a Shift When New Faces, Leader Step In". San Diego Union Tribune.
5. "Communities - City of San Diego Official Website".
6. "City Council Committee Meetings". City of San Diego.
7. Ash, Allison. (September 25, 2013). "Local Democrats endorse Councilman David Alvarez for San Diego mayor". ABC 10 News.
8. (November 19, 2013). "San Diego mayor race: Alvarez, Faulconer expected to meet in runoff". ABC 10 News.
9. (June 3, 2014). "Zapf Wins; Cate, Kim Headed To Runoff In City Council Races". KPBS.
10. (January 18, 2017). "San Diego Councilman David Alvarez Running For County Supervisor". KPBS Public Media.
11. (November 15, 2017). "Alvarez Is Running ... for Community College District". Voice of San Diego.
12. (November 16, 2018). "SDCCD board of trustees set, David Alvarez concedes to Sean Elo". City Times.
13. Andrew Keatts. (2022-03-21). "Alvarez Work for SDG&E Could Have Violated City Ethics Law".
14. (November 30, 2010). "County of San Diego - Gubernatorial Primary Election - Tuesday, June 8, 2010".
15. (November 30, 2010). "County of San Diego - Gubernatorial General Election - Tuesday, November 2, 2010".
16. (June 24, 2014). "COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO - GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY ELECTION - Tuesday, June 3, 2014".
17. "Election History - Mayor of San Diego". City of San Diego.
18. (December 12, 2013). "CITY OF SAN DIEGO - SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION - Tuesday, November 19, 2013 - Official Results".
19. (December 11, 2013). "OFFICIAL RESULTS - City of San Diego - Special Municipal Election".
20. (February 28, 2014). "COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO - SPECIAL CONSOLIDATED ELECTION - Tuesday, February 11, 2014".
21. "Official Canvass for the 80th Assembly District Special Primary Election, April 5, 2022".
22. "Official Canvass for the 80th Assembly District Special General Election, June 7, 2022".
23. "June 7, 2022, Primary Election - State Assemblymember".
24. "November 8, 2022, General Election - State Assemblymember".
25. "March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election - State Assemblymember".
26. "November 5, 2024, General Election - State Assemblymember".