Councilmember Sherri Lightner was elected president of the San Diego City Council on Wednesday, succeeding Todd Gloria on a 7-2 vote.
Only Gloria and Councilmember David Alvarez voted against Lightner at the special meeting, which followed the swearing in of newly elected Councilmember Chris Cate.
“I want to congratulate Sherri Lightner on being elected City Council president for 2015,” said Mayor Kevin Faulconer. “We already have a great working relationship and I look forward to working together to create more opportunities for all San Diegans.
Gloria, who filled the position for two years, was nominated for a third year by Alvarez, who gave an impassioned speech on his behalf.
Councilmember Scott Sherman said Gloria was the right person at the right time, but on most boards, the job of president rotates routinely. He thanked Gloria for his service and leadership, adding that his role as interim mayor after the Bob Filner scandal “helped stabilize our city and bring us back to normalcy.”
After the council meeting, Gloria posted a short statement on his Facebook page saying, “San Diegans know that I’ve never needed a title to accomplish important things for our city. I’ve always asked people to just call me Todd.”
Lightner will be the first woman to be president of the council. She said she was “honored that my colleagues trust and respect my leadership” and “am proud to stand up and serve the city of San Diego as the first female council president.”
The president wields considerable power over setting meeting agendas, determines committee assignments and often appears with the mayor in a ceremonial role.
