Democrat Myrtle Cole was re-elected San Diego City Council President on Monday by an 8-1 vote after receiving strong endorsements from several local labor leaders.
Republican Councilman Scott Sherman cast the only “no” vote after raising concerns that Cole plans to change who chairs certain key council committees.
Cole, a Democrat, was criticized last year by labor leaders and others in the city’s Democratic establishment for letting Republicans control too many committees.
She selected Sherman to lead the council’s Smart Growth and Land Use Committee, Republican Lorie Zapf to lead Economic Development, Republican Chris Cate to lead Public Safety and Republican Mark Kersey to lead Infrastructure.
Critics said the appointments didn’t appropriately reflect the Democrats’ 5-4 council majority.
When questioned by Sherman during Monday’s hearing, Cole declined to say whether she would keep those committee leaders in place or make changes when she hands out new assignments for 2018 on Dec. 13.
After being re-elected, she thanked her supporters, especially the labor leaders.
“All my union brothers and sisters, we’re going to do more for working families,” Cole said. “We have a very busy year ahead of us”
Cole said she would focus on solving the city’s homelessness crisis and shortage of affordable housing.
Councilwoman Barbara Bry, a Democrat, said she was impressed by Cole’s leadership since taking over the post one year ago.
“You have led us with integrity and always with the best interests of the entire city in mind,” Bry said.
Keith Maddox, representing the San Diego Imperial Counties Labor Council, said Cole will help strengthen San Diego’s economy.
“We need to drive economic development and sustain middle class jobs while affording economic opportunity to every community in San Diego,” Maddox said.
The council presidency is a pivotal post that sets the council’s agenda and makes assignments to committees and chairmanships. It was created as a counterbalance when San Diego switched to a “strong mayor” form of government a decade ago.
Cole, 68, became the first black woman to serve on the City Council in 2013 and then became the first black woman to be council president.
She is up for re-election to a final council term next year. Her council district includes much of southeastern San Diego.