Kevin Faulconer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kevin Faulconer
Faulconer in 2019
36th Mayor of San Diego
In office March 3, 2014 – December 10, 2020
Preceded by	Todd Gloria (Acting)
Succeeded by	Todd Gloria
Member of the San Diego City Council from the 2nd district
In office January 10, 2006 – March 3, 2014
Preceded by	Michael Zucchet
Succeeded by	Ed Harris
Personal details
Born	Kevin Lee Faulconer (1967-01-24) January 24, 1967 (age 58) San Jose, California, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Katherine Stuart ​ (m. 1999)​
Children	2
Education	San Diego State University (BA)

Kevin Lee Faulconer (born January 24, 1967) is an American politician. He served as the 36th mayor of San Diego from 2014 to 2020. He is a member of the Republican Party. Before becoming mayor, Faulconer was a member of the San Diego City Council from 2006 to 2014.

Faulconer was born in San Jose, California, and grew up in the city of Oxnard. He became interested in politics in the 1990s. He worked on campaigns for California Governor Pete Wilson. Later, he ran for a seat on the San Diego City Council and won in a special election in 2005.

As a politician, Faulconer is known for being a moderate Republican. This means he often has views that are in the middle of the political spectrum. He believes in being careful with government spending. He also supports many social freedoms. In 2021, he was a candidate for governor of California in a special recall election.

Early Life and Schooling

Kevin Faulconer was born in San Jose, California. His parents were Jim and Kay Faulconer. He grew up in Oxnard, where he learned to speak Spanish in grade school.

Faulconer graduated from Oxnard High School in 1985. He then went to San Diego State University. He earned a degree in political science. While in college, he was the student body president and a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.

San Diego City Council (2006–2014)

Faulconer (second from right) with the San Diego City Council in 2010.

Faulconer first ran for city council in 2002 but did not win. He ran again in a special election in 2005. This time, he won the election and joined the council in January 2006. He was re-elected easily in 2006 and 2010. City rules, called term limits, meant he could not run for re-election in 2014.

While on the council, Faulconer worked on several important issues. After a large public disturbance at Pacific Beach in 2007, he helped pass a rule to make the city's beaches safer and cleaner. He also worked on a plan to improve the San Diego bayfront.

Faulconer was the head of the council's Audit Committee. This group helped fix the city's financial records and improve its credit rating.

Mayor of San Diego (2014–2020)

Faulconer in November 2014.

Faulconer with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, June 2019

Faulconer decided to run for mayor in a special election in 2013. He won the election in February 2014 and became the 36th mayor of San Diego. He was re-elected for a full term in 2016.

During his time as mayor, Faulconer focused on many issues facing the city.

Climate Action Plan

In 2014, Faulconer introduced San Diego's first Climate Action Plan. The plan's goal was to lower the city's greenhouse gas emissions. A key part of the plan was to use 100 percent renewable energy by 2035. He convinced four other nearby cities to join San Diego in this effort.

Minimum Wage

In 2014, the City Council voted to raise the minimum wage in San Diego. The minimum wage is the lowest amount a worker can be paid per hour. Faulconer vetoed the measure, which means he rejected it. However, the council voted again and overrode his veto. The new minimum wage was then approved by voters in 2016.

San Diego Chargers

A big issue during Faulconer's term was the San Diego Chargers football team. The team wanted to move to Los Angeles. Faulconer tried to keep them in San Diego by proposing a new stadium. However, the plan did not get enough votes from the public. In 2017, the Chargers announced they were moving to Los Angeles.

Housing and Homelessness

Faulconer and Todd Gloria at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2014.

Faulconer worked to solve San Diego's housing crisis. He wanted to make it easier to build more homes, especially near public transit. He believed this would help make housing more affordable.

He also focused on helping people experiencing homelessness. He increased funding for shelters and created safe places for people to park and sleep in their cars. Near the end of his term, he helped pass a plan called "Complete Communities." This plan encourages building affordable homes and improves parks in low-income areas.

Social Issues

Faulconer marching in the 2014 San Diego LGBTQ Pride Parade.

Faulconer is a Republican, but he holds many socially liberal views. This means he supports personal freedoms and equality. He supports same-sex marriage and has marched in the San Diego LGBTQ Pride Parade.

In 2019, he encouraged the U.S. Congress to pass the Equality Act. This bill would protect people from being treated unfairly based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. After the murder of George Floyd in 2020, Faulconer supported a ban on the use of chokeholds by the San Diego Police Department.

Statewide Political Career

After his term as mayor ended, Faulconer became involved in state politics. He supported the campaign to recall, or remove, Governor Gavin Newsom from office in 2021.

Campaign for Governor

Faulconer campaigning for governor in Downey, California

Faulconer announced he was running for governor of California in February 2021. He was a candidate in the special recall election. If voters had decided to remove Governor Newsom, they could have chosen Faulconer to replace him.

The recall vote failed, and Governor Newsom remained in office. Faulconer placed third among the 46 replacement candidates.

San Diego County Board of Supervisors Campaign

In 2024, Faulconer ran for a seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. He challenged the incumbent, Terra Lawson-Remer, for her position representing District 3. He lost the election.

Personal Life

Faulconer married Katherine Stuart in 1999. They have two children. Katherine is the founder of a company that plans large events. Faulconer is a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church.

In November 2023, the couple announced that they had decided to separate.

Electoral History

San Diego City Council

Mayor of San Diego

Governor of California

2021 California gubernatorial recall election
Vote on recall				Votes	Percentage
Y No				7,944,092	61.88
Yes				4,894,473	38.12
Invalid or blank votes				54,013	4.19
Totals				12,892,578	100
Voter turnout				58.45%
Rank	Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
1		Republican	Larry Elder	3,563,867	48.4
2		Democratic	Kevin Paffrath	706,778	9.6
3		Republican	Kevin Faulconer	590,346	8.0
4		Democratic	Brandon M. Ross	392,029	5.3
All other candidates				2,108,548	28.64
Total valid votes				7,361,568	100
Invalid or blank votes				5,531,010	42.90
Totals				12,892,578	100
Voter turnout				58.45%

Images for kids

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  Faulconer speaking at the 2015 Lincoln-Reagan Dinner hosted in San Diego, California.