Durfee describes ideal mayoral candidate for 2012

In an interview with PolitickerCA.com, San Diego Democratic Party Chair Jess Durfee, detailed the qualities he values most as he begins to look for a candidate to represent the party in San Diego's 2012 mayoral race.

"We need somebody who has name recognition, somebody who can fundraise, who's a proven vote getter in the past," Sanders said, seeming to rule out any political newcomers.  "That means somebody who's supported by a broad base of the traditional Democratic organizations and the party donor base."

Durfee acknowledged the dangers of having more than one Democrat compete in the primary. "If we get into a situation where the community is somewhat split between candidates, then at some point hopefully one of them drops out, or the organizations who support them coalesce behind one candidate," said Durfee, though ideally it would never come down to that.

Still, Durfee admits that such a situation remains a possibility, particularly while the city limits on individual contributions remain a paltry $270. "If we had a wealthy Democrat who decided to jump in the race and spend a million dollars on him or herself, that's not something I can control," said Durfee. "It might not be the best candidate, but that scenario could happen."

Current San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders (R-San Diego) won 54% of the vote in the June 3 primary to earn a second term, and will be termed out in four years. Sanders' only real competition this year was Steve Francis, another Republican. Democrat Floyd L. Murrow received only 6% of the vote.