David Alvarez, Son Of A Campesino, Looks To Become First Latino Mayor Of San Diego

David Álvarez, son of a campesino from the Mexican state of Jalisco who came to the United States to work on farms between 1959 and 1966 as part of the era's "bracero" program, is hoping to beat out Republican rival Kevin Faulconer in San Diego's mayoral elections on Nov. 4 and, in the process, become the city's first Latino mayor. His story, he told Mexican news service Notimex in an interview, "is the story of many immigrant families who come to the United States to work hard for a better life. The only difference," he added, "is that I have a more public position."

Polls place Álvarez, a 33-year-old city councilman, a point back from Faulconer in what is shaping up to be a tight finish, with 46 percent to Faulconer's 47 percent. The two are looking to restore the city's faith in its highest public office after former mayor Bob Filner resigned in August after a month and a half of scandal over accusations of sexual harassment from some 18 women. Filner was sentenced in December to 90 days in home confinement, three years' probation, and about $1,500 in fines after being found guilty of forcibly kissing or grabbing three women while serving as mayor of the California border city.

Notimex notes that Álvarez was born and raised and still lives in Logan Heights, a heavily Latino neighborhood which has also been a traditional breeding ground for much of California's Hispanic political class, including several current state senators. His campaign has tried to stake him out as a defender of a community which he says was historically "forgotten by the old political class". He'll have to take on an opponent who John Kern, a non-affiliated political consultant, described to the Los Angeles Times in November as "the right kind of Republican: moderate, works across party lines and has environmental credentials".

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