On Jan. 10, Congressmember Bob Filner announced his endorsement of Stephen Whitburn for the District 3 City Council seat that will become vacant when City Councilmember Toni Atkins terms out. Congressional endorsements for District 3 candidates are now split, since Congressmember Susan Davis clarified her endorsement of Todd Gloria that weekend.

“As a former City Councilmember, I know that Stephen Whitburn has the experience and integrity we need at City Hall,” Filner said. “He has a proven record of standing up for working people and our neighborhoods. I am pleased to join so many other San Diegans in supporting Stephen Whitburn for City Council.”

However, some questioned Filner’s endorsement, pointing to Whitburn’s decision to hire Jane Filner, Bob’s wife, who had, prior to congressional reforms disallowing such, worked as a fund-raiser for her husband’s campaign.

Both Filner and Whitburn deny any correlation between the endorsement and the hiring.

“Jane Filner was recommended by my campaign consultant,” Whitburn said. “I met with Jane in early October and hired her. She’s brought a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to the campaign. I’m delighted to have her expertise. I met with Congressman Filner separately at the end of November to ask for his support. And he recently let me know that he’s decided to endorse me. I’m very honored to have his support.”

“ I don’t tell Jane who to work for,” Filner said. “[A]nd she doesn’t tell me who to endorse, but she was hired several months ago and she’s probably the best fund-raiser in town, Democrat. And after I studied the race and talked to Steve a few weeks ago, I decided that he was the most progressive candidate. I especially looked at the contribution reports of the candidates, the recent candidates that is, and Gloria had all these developers and establishment money and I said ‘Wow, I had been on the city council for five years, I know what that means, that people will be more interested in the developers and the establishment than the neighborhoods in the district,’ and after I saw that I decided to support Steve.”

Davis gave her endorsement of Gloria last September with little explanation but made her reasons clear this past weekend.

“I have great respect for his family ties in San Diego, his activism in his neighborhood of City Heights, his service on the Housing Commission and his past chairmanship of the San Diego LGBT Community Center. During these 15 years of public service he has made significant contributions to the district’s neighborhoods. He is exceptionally well prepared for this position,” said Davis.

“Susan has been a wonderful mentor and friend for many years,” Gloria said. “She has taught me what it means to be a public servant. Naturally, I’m honored to have her support in this campaign.”

The congressmembers add their endorsement to a long list of support for both candidates.

Filner joins City Councilmember Donna Frye, former State Senator Lucy Killea, Stonewall Young Democrats, San Diego Democrats for Disability Rights, San Diego for Democracy and the San Diego Democratic Club in their support for Whitburn.

Davis joins former Congressmember Lynn Schenk, Coronado Councilmember Carrie Downey, Lemon Grove Mayor Mary Sessom, the Chicano Democratic Association and the Latino American Political Association in supporting Gloria.

Whitburn served three terms as president of the San Diego Democratic Club. He currently serves as spokesperson for the American Red Cross in San Diego and its Latino community representative and is an elected member of the North Park Planning Committee.

Gloria has served as district director and community representative for Congressmember Davis since 2001. He is also a member of the San Diego City Council’s Housing Commission, and a board member with the San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center.

Gloria and Whitburn have been running on near identical tickets. At a community forum last October, both candidates emphasized public safety, infrastructure and city finances as top priorities.

“I am running for City Council to promote and protect what makes District 3 great. I want to work to create safer neighborhoods, improve our infrastructure, and expand economic opportunity for all,” said Gloria.

“I am running for City Council to strengthen our neighborhoods and make San Diego an even better place to live. Affordable housing, reducing crime, protecting open space and getting our fiscal house in order would be among my priorities as a Councilmember,” said Whitburn.

Whitburn and Gloria are joined by former District 3 City Councilmember John Hartley, local community activist and Green Party member Rocky Neptune, “Independent-Republican” Robert E. Lee and Republican James Hartline in their run for City Council.

The winner will take Toni Atkins’ seat. Atkins, due to term limits, will be termed out after eight years on the council.

District 3 includes Balboa Park, Hillcrest, North Park, South Park and City Heights, and portions of Golden Hill, Mission Hills, Normal Heights and Kensington.

The primary election will be held on June 3, 2008.