How do you run a City Council campaign for District I without an opponent when many of your constituents assume you will automatically be elected? Ask La Jollan Barbara Bry who is running unopposed now. The San Diego Charter rules that the top two candidates’ names will still appear on the ballot. In August, Republican Ray Ellis withdrew from the non-partisan race. He was 15 points behind in the primary in spite of outspending Bry considerably. She must have felt it was like April Fool’s Day when she first learned of his plan to back out of local politics and return to his successful volunteering. “We are not slowing down our grassroots efforts to win this seat for District I neighborhoods,” Bry assured her visitors. “Despite the withdrawal from the race, Mr. Ellis’ name will remain on the ballot.” Bry will be the first high-tech entrepreneur on the City Council. With an MBA from Harvard and extensive journalism career for The Sacramento Bee and The L.A. Times as a business writer, she helped found CONNECT at UCSD and co-founded Alcom, a high-tech company.
Bry also helped start ATHENA, a leading organization for women in San Diego tech and life sciences.
Her team has begun knocking on doors and talking to voters about the Nov. 8 election. “More importantly, they are asking voters what they want from the next City Council member,” Bry said.
“I am knocking on doors several days a week and have launched a listening tour to understand how we can improve the quality of life in our community.” With Nov. 8 in the not-too-distant future, the Bry campaign and dedicated volunteers are spreading the word to new voters who may not be aware she is the only official candidate, and to apathetic voters who think it is a done deal.
After having lived in San Diego for 35 years and serving in many volunteer capacities, she wants to keep San Diego safe, clean and prosperous; bringing high- paying tech jobs and helping small businesses are other goals. Married to Neil Senturia, Bry raised her two daughters here and is a proud grandmother.
In Chicago, Election Day’s tongue-in-cheek-theme is “Vote early and often.” In San Diego, “Bry,” which rhymes with “sea,” and her team just want to make certain voters vote for her early or late on Nov. 8 or by mail. Remember this short rhyme when you vote: “The only nominee is Barbara Bry.”