Ed Harris, lifeguard and union head, was selected by the San Diego City Council to take the vacant seat for District 2 left when Kevin Faulconer was elected mayor.
It took two ballots for the 8 Council members to coalesce around one applicant with at least 5 votes. The replacement selection was the only item on the docket, and the Council Chambers were filled with the applicants, their supporters and community people.
Twenty people had originally filled out the paperwork for consideration, but when Council President Todd Gloria gaveled the meeting to order around 2:05 pm, there were only 17; Richardo Flores, Don Mullen and Wayne Raffesberger had all withdrawn their names. (See the list.)
After each of the candidates gave their 3 minute spiel, and after 36 people spoke endorsing this or that applicant, the Council voted by ballot. In the first round, Ed Harris had 3 votes, Chris Cramer had 2, Gretchen Newsom had 2, and Howard Wayne had 1. Those who received no votes were then eliminated and the Council went on for a 2nd round.
The City Clerk read the results: 5 votes for Ed Harris. Councilmembers David Alvarez, Sheri Lightner, Lorie Zapf, Mark Kersey, Scott Sherman had voted him in.
Harris was immediately sworn in to applause from everyone. It was 5:00 pm almost exactly. Ed Harris now represents District 2 – and will until December 8, 2014.
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Dewmocracy in action!