San Diego City Council District 2 · Nov 3, 2026
Richard Bailey
Candidate for City Council District 2
Richard Bailey is running for San Diego City Council District 2 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Nicole Crosby.
Ballots start going out · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayFormer mayor of Coronado (2016-2024) and a San Diego business owner. Holds a B.S. in business finance and an M.S. in applied economics, and worked as a financial analyst at a Fortune 500 company.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- San Diego Business Owner
- How the press groups them
- Described by the San Diego Union-Tribune as a longtime Republican turned independent. San Diego Union-Tribune · Sep 29, 2026
- Campaign website
- richardbailey.com
San Diego United Communities, a residents' group, is supporting Richard Bailey and Mark Powell; Martha Abraham's campaign says she has not sought or received its endorsement. Voice of San Diego · Sep 16, 2026
An independent committee opposing Richard Bailey reported $120,000 from unions in September; one supporting Antonio Martinez reported $250,000 from local unions. KPBS · Sep 29, 2026
Where Richard Bailey stands: positions on the record
Taxes1 sourced position
As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune
Said at a September 2026 forum that the city does not need more revenue and should cut spending instead.
“The city does not have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem”
Forum answerSan Diego Union-Tribune · Oct 2, 2026
Budget2 sourced positions
Candidate statement for the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot
Says he would close the structural deficit through spending and management reforms, without new taxes or fees.
“committed to addressing the structural deficit through spending and management reforms without raising new taxes and fees”
Own statementCandidate statement of qualifications · Jul 27, 2026
Proposes returning City Hall staffing to 2015 levels, which he estimates would save $220 million.
“Restructuring City Hall to 2015 staffing levels would save $220M”
Own statementRichard Bailey campaign site
Paid parking1 sourced position
Says Balboa Park parking fees must be repealed entirely and downtown parking rates returned to early-2025 levels.
“Balboa Park parking fees must be repealed entirely.”
Own statementRichard Bailey campaign site
Homelessness1 sourced position
As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune
Praised the city's camping ban but said the city enforces it too loosely.
“They need to combine compassionate outreach with enforcement”
Forum answerSan Diego Union-Tribune · Oct 2, 2026
City Hall management1 sourced position
As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune
Said San Diego should go back to having a city manager instead of the strong-mayor system.
“We need to bring back professional, competent, accountable leadership.”
Forum answerSan Diego Union-Tribune · Sep 29, 2026
City services1 sourced position
Supports managed competition to bid out services such as trash collection and parks and facility maintenance.
“implement managed competition to bid out services like trash collection, parks and facility maintenance”
Own statementRichard Bailey campaign site
Trash fee1 sourced position
As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune
Said the city should get out of trash collection and shift it to private haulers.
“The right thing is for the city to not be in the trash business whatsoever”
Forum answerSan Diego Union-Tribune · Oct 2, 2026
Housing1 sourced position
Candidate statement for the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot
Lists reforming ADU and parking policies to protect neighborhood quality of life as a priority.
“Reforming ADU and parking policies to protect quality of life for neighborhoods.”
Own statementCandidate statement of qualifications · Jul 27, 2026
Public power1 sourced position
As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune
Opposed a city takeover of electricity service from SDG&E.
“there is only one agency I would trust less to run a utility company — the city of San Diego”
Forum answerSan Diego Union-Tribune · Sep 29, 2026
Also running for City Council District 2
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