2020 San Diego City Attorney election

2020 San Diego City Attorney election

← 2016 November 3, 2020 (2020-11-03) 2024 →
 
Nominee Mara Elliott Cory Briggs
Popular vote 375,060 187,791
Percentage 66.6% 33.4%

City Attorney before election

Mara Elliott

Elected City Attorney

Mara Elliott

The 2020 San Diego City Attorney election was scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2020. The primary election was held on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.

Municipal elections in California are officially non-partisan, although most members do identify a party preference. A two-round system was used for the election, starting with a primary in March followed by a runoff in November between the top two candidates. Incumbent City Attorney Mara Elliott advanced from the primary election to face private sector attorney Cory Briggs in the general election.

Campaign

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The incumbent City Attorney Mara Elliott stood for reelection to a second term. She was challenged for the position by two private sector attorneys: Cory Briggs and Pete Mesich.[1]

In the March primary, Elliott received about two-thirds of the vote to advance to the general election against Briggs, the closest runner-up.[2]

Polling

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Primary election

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Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[a]
Margin
of error
Mara
Elliott
Cory
Briggs
Pete
Mesich
Undecided
SurveyUSA/KGTV-TV/San Diego Union-Tribune February 6–8, 2020 527 (LV) ± 5.3% 28% 15% 9% 47%
SurveyUSA/KGTV-TV/San Diego Union-Tribune January 16–19, 2020 518 (LV) ± 5.2% 28% 18% 6% 48%

General election

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Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[a]
Margin
of error
Mara
Elliott
Cory
Briggs
Undecided
SurveyUSA/KGTV-TV/San Diego Union-Tribune October 1–5, 2020 547 (LV) ± 5.3% 28% 22% 50%
SurveyUSA/KGTV-TV/San Diego Union-Tribune August 28–31, 2020 517 (LV) ± 5.3% 30% 20% 50%

Results

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2020 San Diego City Attorney election[3]
Primary election
Candidate Votes %
Mara W. Elliott 208,767 67.9%
Cory Briggs 71,672 23.3%
Pete Mesich 47,072 8.9%
Total votes 307,662 100%
General election
Mara W. Elliott 375,060 66.6%
Cory Briggs 187,791 33.4%
Total votes 562,851 100%

Notes

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  1. ^ a b Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear

References

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  1. ^ Garrick, David (February 1, 2020). "Election challengers attack San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott's record". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  2. ^ Hong, Joe (March 4, 2020). "Incumbent Elliott, Briggs To Fight For San Diego City Attorney In November". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  3. ^ "Election History - City Attorney, City of San Diego" (PDF). San Diego City Clerk. Retrieved April 12, 2020.