The last election report from San Diego

As I wrote in News for the last day of campaigning for San Diego Mayor, next week will be the post-mortem.  It’s next week and it’s time to examine the corpse of the election.  KPBS complies with Breaking Down Faulconer's Win In San Diego Mayor's Race.

Overnight, Republican Kevin Faulconer went from city councilman to mayor-elect. For insight into how he defeated Democrat David Alvarez, KPBS Morning Edition Anchor Deb Welsh spoke with San Diego Mesa College political science Professor Carl Luna.

More analysis in Faulconer Defeats Alvarez For Mayor; Vows To Unite San Diego By Sandhya Dirks, Mark Sauer, Claire Trageser, Originally published February 12, 2014 at 6 a.m., updated February 12, 2014 at 7:07 a.m.

San Diego Mayor-elect Kevin Faulconer, a Republican, defeated fellow Councilman David Alvarez by a wide margin on Tuesday. He vows to be an independent leader for all San Diegans.

Democrat Alvarez, 33, conceded the race via Twitter shortly before midnight. Faulconer said the two men had an amiable conversation and that he looks forward to working with his former opponent, who returns now to City Council.

San Diego Mesa College political science professor Carl Luna said Alvarez's inexperience contributed to his loss.

"I think...what you've got is something of a perfect storm for Democrats: the triple 'w,' " he said. "They had a weak candidate, a weak message and a weak turnout."

After watching this contest closely for the past few months, I’m disappointed but not surprised.

Follow over the jump for more from KPBS.

Mayor-Elect Kevin Faulconer Discusses What's Next For San Diego

San Diego City Councilman Kevin Faulconer will take the oath of office as San Diego's new mayor early next month.

He talks a good game, doesn’t he?

It’s not all bad news for Democrats, as Faulconer Win Could Give Democrats More Power On San Diego City Council.
By Claire Trageser
Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Both Kevin Faulconer and David Alvarez are city councilmen, so no matter who wins the San Diego mayor's race Tuesday, there will be an empty seat on the City Council. If the Republican Faulconer becomes mayor, the council could see a shift in power toward the Democrats.

San Diego's City Charter says that because both Alvarez and Faulconer have less than one year left on their council terms, the City Council will appoint someone to fill their seat instead of holding another election.

Those interested in the seat will fill out an application, submit a Statement of Economic Interest and write up to 500 words on why they're qualified for the job.

The council must then hold a public hearing with the applicants and give each three minutes to speak. The City Council will then vote on the new councilmember. All of this must happen within 30 days after the council seat is vacated.

There was another election last Tuesday: Solana Beach Votes ‘Yes’ On Prop B Over Fletcher Cove Community Center By KPBS , Alison St John, Originally published February 10, 2014 at 5:38 p.m., updated February 11, 2014 at 11:10 p.m.

With 100 percent of the vote counted, Prop B in Solana Beach has passed with 52 percent of the vote.

Finally, someone was doing something good for getting people to the polls: Company Doesn’t Want Medical Needs To Keep San Diego Voters From Polls.
By Tarryn Mento
Tuesday, February 11, 2014

If you need medical assistance getting to the polls to cast your vote for San Diego's mayor or Solana Beach's Prop B, a San Diego company will give you a lift.

Falck San Diego, a subsidiary of Falck Alford, is offering its non-emergency transportation services to and from the polls for senior citizens and those who need special assistance.

Falck San Diego CEO, Rich Ahrendt, said his mother inspired the idea.

And that’s it for coverage of San Diego’s special mayoral election, although it’s not the last entry that will feature the station’s stories.  I have a whole bunch saved up, including the bulk of the next drought update.  Just the same, I’ll miss KPBS and San Diego, although I might return to monitor drought stories.