Group Files to Recall San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria
Activists led by Genevieve Jones Wright have begun the formal recall process against Mayor Todd Gloria, citing city finances and housing policy.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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A group led by Genevieve Jones Wright filed a Notice of Intent to recall Mayor Todd Gloria on October 29, 2026. The notice was published in the San Diego Daily Transcript on November 3, 2026, as an initial step in the recall process.
Why it matters
The recall effort would require signatures from at least 15% of registered voters in San Diego, and if that threshold is met, the City Council must call a special election. Residents would then decide whether Gloria remains in office.
The recall petition must carry signatures from at least 15% of San Diego's registered voters before a special election can be called. The group has not yet reported how many signatures it has gathered.
The players
Genevieve Jones Wright
A public advocacy attorney who ran against Todd Gloria for mayor of San Diego in 2024.
Todd Gloria
The sitting mayor of San Diego who is the target of the recall effort.
The details
Genevieve Jones Wright, a public advocacy attorney who ran against Gloria for mayor in 2024, leads the effort, joined by Kathleen Harmon, Terrie Best, Donnetta Moore and Shelby Huffaker. The group says Gloria has failed to put everyday San Diegans first, citing his handling of city finances, housing policy it says favors developers, and leadership on homelessness.
Timeline
October 29, 2026: Group files Notice of Intent to recall Mayor Gloria.
November 3, 2026: Notice of intent published in the San Diego Daily Transcript.
Political Context
The last recall effort against a sitting San Diego mayor targeted Bob Filner in 2013. This recall of Mayor Gloria is the second such attempt in the city's recent history, testing the same signature-threshold process.
If the petition reaches the 15% signature threshold, San Diego voters could be asked to decide whether Gloria stays in office. Residents who are registered voters would be the ones signing the petition and voting in any resulting special election.
The takeaway
Recall efforts depend on signature counts that must clear a fixed threshold, so the size of the petition drive will determine whether this effort reaches a special election. Residents tracking the process can watch the signature-gathering stage closely.
What happens next
The notice will be served to Mayor Gloria, after which the group can begin formal signature-gathering to call a special election.
Further reading
For more on how residents can take part in local government, explore Civic Engagement coverage in San Diego.
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