City Council

SAN DIEGO -- Voters will decide Tuesday who should fill four San Diego City Council seats that will be vacated due to term limits.

Three candidates are vying to fill the open seat in District 1, which includes the communities of La Jolla, University City, Torrey Hills, Carmel Valley and Rancho Penasquitos.

The district is now represented by Council President Scott Peters, who is running for San Diego City Attorney.

Sherri Lightner, a retired engineer and small business owner, has served on numerous community planning groups, boards and committees, including as president of the La Jolla Town Council.

Marshall Merrifield, a municipal finance specialist, has headed or formed several area businesses.

Also running is Philip Thalheimer, a businessman and community activist, who gained notoriety for his work to preserve the cross and veterans memorial atop La Jolla's Mount Soledad.

Six candidates are running for the District 3 seat, which is being vacated by two-term Councilwoman Toni Atkins.

The district includes the communities of City Heights, Hillcrest, Kensington, Normal Heights, North Park, South Park, Talmadge, University Heights, Balboa Park and parts of Golden Hill.

Frontrunners include Todd Gloria, a community representative for Rep. Susan Davis, D-San Diego, and Stephen Whitburn, a spokesman for the American Red Cross' San Diego blood division.

Also running is John Hartley, who was on the City Council from 1989 to 1993. He recently pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor lewdness charge after he was spotted masturbating and urinating into a cup in his truck. He maintains he was simply relieving himself.

James Hartline is a Christian activist who frequently appears at City Council meetings to speak out against homosexuality. Paul Broadway is a factory mechanic and Robert E. Lee is a business manager.

In the District 5 race to replace termed-out Councilman Brian Maienschein, there are two candidates running. Maienschein is now running for San Diego city attorney.

The district includes the communities of Carmel Mountain Ranch, Mira Mesa, Rancho Bernardo, Sabre Springs, Scripps Ranch and Sorrento Mesa.

On the ballot are Carl DeMaio, founder of a government thinktank and watchdog group The Performance Institute. DeMaio has been a frequent critic of San Diego's budget and finances.

Challenging DeMaio is small business owner and retired firefighter George George. George worked for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department for nearly 31 years and was chief of the Solana Beach Fire Department.

In District 7, which includes Allied Gardens, parts of City Heights, the College Area, Del Cerro, Grantville, Rolando and Tierrasanta, there are four candidates running for the office.

Councilman Jim Madaffer now represents the City Council's District 7. He must vacate the post because of term limits.

Marti Emerald was a consumer fraud investigative reporter for KGTV Channel 10 for many years before seeking the City Council seat.

Her chief opponent, April Boling is a certified public accountant and businesswoman, who chaired a panel under former Mayor Dick Murphy to overhaul the city's debt-ridden pension system.

Also running for the District 7 seat is middle school teacher Bill Daniel and police officer David Tos.

If no one candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote in each of the races, a runoff will be held on Nov. 4.