Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Meet Kevin Faulconer
gvw_calmatters
By CalMatters
Published 4 years ago on
August 17, 2021

Share

Mayor of San Diego from 2014 to 2020, after 12 years on the city council. Pushed for more development to boost San Diego’s housing supply, increased the city’s number of shelter beds and called for stricter enforcement against “tent cities.” Fluent in Spanish, his dad was an assistant city manager, his mom was a college professor and they were both Democrats.

  • Age: 54
  • Party: Republican
  • Home: San Diego
  • Likes: Immigration reform, low property taxes, Donald Trump in 2020
  • Dislikes: Homelessness, Gavin Newsom, Trump in 2016

If He Becomes Governor:

  • Would try to reduce homelessness by opening more shelters and increasing enforcement of no-camping laws in public spaces
  • Would seek to exempt military retirement income from state income taxes and increase the property tax exemption for veterans with disabilities
  • Would try to end state income taxes on individuals making less than $50,000, and veto any tax increase
  • Would try to double wildfire prevention funding and streamline prevention efforts with a new state department
  • Would oppose efforts to defund the police, early release programs for prisoners and seek stricter consequence for crimes
  • Would launch a public-private partnership to clean up parks and outdoor spaces, particularly those “heavily impacted” by homelessness
  • Would lift mask mandates and any COVID-related business capacity limits, launch a small restaurant relief fund and allow restaurants to write off protective equipment on their taxes
  • Opposes a statewide vaccine and testing mandate for teachers and staff, and says local school districts should decide
  • Would boost state funding to increase teacher salaries and provide kids access to summer school, longer school days and after-school tutoring, as well as more mental health counselors for students affected by the pandemic
  • Would pause new programs until the Employment Development Department is fixed, especially the agency’s technology
  • Would address California’s water supply by adding new reservoirs and water recycling plants, and calling on the state to invest in water infrastructure repair
  • Would oppose California water board’s restrictions on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

Personal Quote:

“This election calls for a serious candidate with serious policy proposals.”

Hear Him on the Issues:

Faulconer was invited, but has not yet agreed to an interview with CalMatters.

Supporters:

  • State Assembly Republican leader Marie Waldron, state Senate GOP leader Scott Wilk and most other Republican legislators
  • Former California GOP chairman Ron Nehring
  • New Majority CA, Republican political action committee focused on fiscal responsibility

More About Him:

Contact Him:

About the Author

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters.

[activecampaign form=27]

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Investors React to US Attack on Iran Nuclear Sites

DON'T MISS

Tulare County’s Colvin Fire Ignites With 80 Personnel on Scene

DON'T MISS

US B-2 Bombers Involved in Iran Strikes, U.S. Official Says

DON'T MISS

Trump Says US Forces Bombed Iran Nuclear Sites, Says ‘Fordow Is Gone’

DON'T MISS

LA Dodgers Pledge $1 Million to Support Families Impacted by ICE Raids

DON'T MISS

Pakistan to Nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

DON'T MISS

Vance, in Los Angeles, Says Troops Need to Stay, Blasts Newsom Over Immigration

DON'T MISS

Nuclear Diplomacy Stuck, Israel Says It Killed Top Iran Commander

DON'T MISS

Mahmoud Khalil Vows to Resume Pro-Palestinian Activism After Release From US Jail

DON'T MISS

Trump Says He Wants to Fund More Trade Schools. Just Not These.

UP NEXT

Fresno Democrats Rejoice Over Recall Defeat

UP NEXT

Polling Error: How One Survey Changed Newsom Recall Campaign

UP NEXT

Allegations Made Against Newsom’s Wife as Recall Vote Looms

UP NEXT

Are the Pollsters Wrong or Will Newsom Cruise to Recall Victory?

UP NEXT

Newsom Stumps in Fresno, Explains Controversial Parole Decision

UP NEXT

There Are Too Few Republicans to Recall Newsom: Poll

UP NEXT

Newsom Stimulus Left out Many Retirees, Vets, Disabled. Will They Vote to Recall Him?

UP NEXT

Newsom Recall Headed to Double-Digit Defeat: Poll

UP NEXT

California Spending Big Money to Get Out the Recall Vote

UP NEXT

If Young Voters Sit Out, Is It Over for Newsom?

Investors React to US Attack on Iran Nuclear Sites

10 hours ago

Tulare County’s Colvin Fire Ignites With 80 Personnel on Scene

10 hours ago

US B-2 Bombers Involved in Iran Strikes, U.S. Official Says

11 hours ago

Trump Says Iran’s Key Nuclear Sites ‘Obliterated’ by Airstrikes

11 hours ago

LA Dodgers Pledge $1 Million to Support Families Impacted by ICE Raids

16 hours ago

Pakistan to Nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

16 hours ago

Vance, in Los Angeles, Says Troops Need to Stay, Blasts Newsom Over Immigration

16 hours ago

Nuclear Diplomacy Stuck, Israel Says It Killed Top Iran Commander

16 hours ago

Mahmoud Khalil Vows to Resume Pro-Palestinian Activism After Release From US Jail

16 hours ago

Trump Says He Wants to Fund More Trade Schools. Just Not These.

16 hours ago

World Leaders React to US Attack on Iran

The reaction of world leaders after U.S. forces struck three Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday Iran time ranged from Israel lauding President ...

8 hours ago

Patrons of the Chapel Street Cafe watch as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation following U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. June 21, 2025. (Reuters/Dylan Martinez)
8 hours ago

World Leaders React to US Attack on Iran

The U.S. Capitol building is seen in Washington, U.S., December 1, 2023. (Reuters File)
9 hours ago

Congress Members Split Over US Attack on Iran

Emergency personnel work at an impact site following Iran's missile strike on Israel, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Haifa, Israel, June 20, 2025. (Reuters File)
9 hours ago

Investors Brace for Oil Price Spike, Rush to Havens After US Bombs Iran Nuclear Sites

President Donald Trump gestures next to a new flagpole with the U.S. flag after disembarking Marine One upon arrival at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 21, 2025. (Reuters/Kevin Mohatt)
10 hours ago

Investors React to US Attack on Iran Nuclear Sites

A wildfire dubbed the Colvin Fire broke out Saturday near Woodlake in Tulare County, burning 46 acres with 0% containment and threatening two structures, according to CalFire. (CalFire)
10 hours ago

Tulare County’s Colvin Fire Ignites With 80 Personnel on Scene

11 hours ago

US B-2 Bombers Involved in Iran Strikes, U.S. Official Says

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation alongside U.S. Vice President JD Vance, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 21, 2025, following U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/Pool
11 hours ago

Trump Says Iran’s Key Nuclear Sites ‘Obliterated’ by Airstrikes

Oct 24, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the centerfield plaza during media prior to game one of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images/File Photo
16 hours ago

LA Dodgers Pledge $1 Million to Support Families Impacted by ICE Raids

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend