The Truth About Todd

The Story of Todd Gloria,
San Diego’s Dictator Mayor

This site tells the story of a mayor who lost his way, as mayor of the City of San Diego since December 2020. It tells of a career politician who lacks real-world experience, especially in financial management, crisis management (the homeless),  and urban land-use issues.

Making matters worse, mayor Todd Gloria surrounded himself with people of similarly limited experience.  These advisors were given broad authority over city processes, even giving direction to professionals such as transportation engineers.    

A compliant group of City Councilmembers has blindly followed the mayor, going along with unwise programs, and granting him more authority.   

Todd Gloria became enamored with his power, forgetting this: He is the chief executive for city employees but he’s not the citizens’ boss.  The citizen-led revolt has been growing for four years, and is now poised to sweep away the Dictator Mayor, and replace him with a more effective leader. 

Career Politician

Todd Gloria is a career politician.  He caters to the special interests who support his campaigns.  His primary skills are fundraising and planning for higher office.

Machine Politician

He also helps other officials who want to get re-elected or climb the political ladder.  

Pied Piper

The Councilmembers need to follow the mayor, if they want improvements in their district, and wish to please party leaders.

“Todd Gloria has continually failed to live up to his words and responsibilities. His ongoing misinformation propaganda campaign promoting the terrific job he’s doing is contrary to the lives that the citizens and residents of San Diego are forced to live every day, all because of his failed leadership, policies, choices, and decisions.” 

Times of San Diego​

“Mayor Gloria’s efforts to centralize power by limiting the independence of boards and commissions is a disturbing trend. It reflects his desire to sideline oversight, undermining the democratic processes that hold him accountable.”

KPBS Public Media