SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A San Diego lawyer announced today that he will challenge Councilwoman Lorie Zapf in next year's election.
Bryan Pease, most known for representing animal rights activists in the controversy over harbor seals at the La Jolla Children's Pool, becomes the second person who intends to take on the incumbent. He ran for city attorney last year but didn't make it out of the primary.
Pease said he is currently representing the San Diego branch of the NAACP in its lawsuit against the El Cajon Police Department and San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The plaintiffs contend that the agencies shut down peaceful vigils in the wake of the Alfred Olango shooting last year and arrested people for refusing to disperse a prayer circle.
"I have a history of fighting for what's right, even if it's not popular," Pease said. "As a City Council member, I will continue working to protect the public interest, civil rights, consumers and the environment, and will push the city to embrace the evidence-based, taxpayer saving model for solving homelessness that city leaders have so far neglected to implement."
Pease said his priorities include environmental protection, ending chronic homeless, increasing housing affordability and public safety.
"It's time for progressive leadership for the district," Pease said. "Our community needs someone who will fight for us at City Hall, not just rubber stamp special interest projects and luxury condos."
The 13-year San Diego resident has served as a board member of the OB People's Market -- a member-owned grocery store in Ocean Beach, as president of the Animal Protection and Rescue League and is an elected member of the San Diego County Democratic Party Central Committee.
So far, the only candidate who has actually filed papers to seek the district seat -- which includes Point Loma, Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach -- is Jordan Beane, known best for hosting the Chargers' online videos. Beane said he also wants to bring a progressive agenda to the council.
Zapf, a Republican on the technically nonpartisan panel, would be seeking her second and final term in the district if she decides to run again. She previously represented Clairemont Mesa, but her residence fell into District 2 during redistricting.
