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-Editorial
Mayor Todd Gloria officially began his historic second term as Mayor of San Diego, reaffirming his commitment to bold leadership and transformative action. During the City of San Diego’s 75th Inauguration Ceremony at the Jacobs Music Center at Copley Symphony Hall, Mayor Gloria took the oath of office with his family by his side.
“This morning, I stand before you deeply humbled and profoundly honored to be sworn in for a second term as your Mayor,” Gloria stated in his inaugural address. “The past four years have been among the most challenging in our history. Yet, through it all, we rolled up our sleeves, focused on what mattered, and made real progress.”
Gloria made history in 2020 as the first person of color and first LGBTQ+ person elected to serve as San Diego’s mayor. His first term was marked by navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainty, and social unrest, while also addressing long-standing civic challenges.
During his first term, Mayor Todd Gloria made significant strides in addressing some of San Diego’s most pressing issues. He doubled the number of housing options for people experiencing homelessness and led efforts to reduce street encampments, cutting the number of tents in Downtown San Diego by 80%. Gloria also focused on addressing the city’s housing crisis by enacting pro-housing policies and streamlining bureaucratic processes, resulting in the construction or permitting of over 20,000 homes, including 3,700 affordable units.
Infrastructure and public safety were also key priorities during Gloria’s first term. He oversaw the repair of 25% of San Diego’s road network, a major improvement to the city’s aging infrastructure. In addition, his administration achieved an 11% reduction in crime, underscoring his commitment to maintaining San Diego as one of America’s safest big cities. Reflecting on these accomplishments, Gloria declared, “There will be no second-term slowdown. Instead, this will be a second-term double-down,” signaling his intent to continue addressing the city’s challenges with urgency and determination.
Looking ahead, Gloria outlined ambitious goals for his second term, pledging to build on the progress made during his first four years. He promised to escalate efforts to end homelessness, increase housing production, and repair critical infrastructure. Gloria also emphasized the importance of public safety, vowing to ensure San Diego remains one of the nation’s safest large cities. “These are not just priorities—they are our responsibility,” he stated, committing to the continued growth and well-being of the city.
The oath of office was administered by Judge David Rubin of the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, who was appointed to the appellate court in 2023 by Governor Gavin Newsom. With his family by his side, Gloria pledged to “double-down” on his commitments, promising to honor the trust placed in him by voters.