With just two weeks to go before the Nov. 2 general elections, David Alvarez is ready to become the newest person to represent residents of District 8 in the San Diego City Council.

    “I feel confident,” Alvarez said. “I’m talking to voters all day, every day and they tell me that they are fed up with the incompetence and mismanagement at City Hall. They think our community deserves a fresh start, not more of the same failed leadership.”

    In the June primary, Alvarez finished in first place out of seven candidates, something that, he said, doesn’t mean he’s taking the election for granted.

    “It was helpful to finish first because it showed that most voters in the primary were looking for a fresh start,” Alvarez said. “That said, the general is a whole new election, and I am taking nothing for granted.”

    Alvarez, the candidate endorsed by the Democratic Party, works as a district representative for state Sen. Denise Ducheny. He grew up in District 8, which historically has been considered the “Latino” district in the city. Since it was formed, all of the council members from this district have been Latinos.

    District 8 includes communities such as Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, and to the south, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa and Nestor.

    It has also been one of the most neglected areas in the city, Alvarez said.

    “Voters feel abandoned,” he said. “They feel abandoned because we have some of the worst roads in the City. They feel abandoned because cuts to the fire department have resulted in slow responses to 911 calls. They feel abandoned because every one of their councilmembers for the past 20 years has used them as a springboard to higher political office.”

    Alvarez said his priorities have not changed since the primaries.

    “My top three priorities are creating more local jobs through economic development, keeping our neighborhoods safe by stopping cuts to the Police and Fire Department, and fixing our streets and sidewalks.”

    He’s endorsed by several political figures, including his boss, State Senator Denise Ducheny, and San Diego councilmembers Donna Frye and Sherri Lightner. In addition to the San Diego County Democratic Party, he’s also endorsed by San Diego City Firefighters Local 145, San Diego Democratic Club, IBEW 569, San Diego Young Democrats, Chicano Democratic Association, Unity League, and The League of Conservation Voters San Diego.

    His opponent in November is Felipe Hueso, brother of the current District 8 Councilmember Ben Hueso.

    “I don’t think Felipe Hueso would be taken seriously by anyone as a candidate for City Council if his last name wasn’t Hueso,” Alvarez said of his opponent.

    After walking throughout the district and meeting so many people during his grass-roots campaign, Alvarez said District 8 residents are ready for a change.

    “I think voters want to see a fresh start. They want more progress regarding economic development within our community. They want to preserve their neighborhood services. But most of all, voters want a City Councilmember that is looking out for them and their interests, one that’s not just looking out for themselves or their family’s political ambitions.”

    Something that has appealed to voters in the district is Alvarez’s story, a story that’s similar to many of the residents in the district: He comes from a low-income family and knows the struggles many face in their daily life.

    That’s the reason, he said, he’s been in the front run of the causes in favor of the community.

    “When the City let our neighborhoods get overrun with trash and graffiti, I coordinated neighborhood cleanups and graffiti paint-outs. When we were facing double-digit dropout rates, I became a teacher and a mentor for disadvantaged kids. I think the choice in this election is clear. If voters want more of the same mess at City Hall they should vote for my opponent. If voters want a fresh start they should vote for me.”

    To learn more about David Alvarez, please visit .