District 3 City Council candidate Stephen Whitburn scored an important endorsement from the San Diego County Democratic Party Tuesday, while City Attorney Mike Aguirre failed by one percent of the vote to win the party’s nod in the crowded City Attorney’s race.

Whitburn secured 74 percent of the party’s vote, besting challengers Todd Gloria and John Hartley for the endorsement. Aguirre, however, won 59 percent of the vote, one percent shy of the 60 percent required to win the endorsement.

Rather than endorse Aguirre, who officially announced his re-election campaign last week, the party voted to take no position in the City Attorney’s race.

The local endorsements, or lack thereof, come at a critical time in the campaign. Candidates endorsed by the local party also receive the state party’s support.

“This is significant to our campaign on many levels,” Whitburn said. “I believe that the Democratic Party has confidence in me not only to be a good Democratic vote on the City Council, they know I’ll be a Democratic leader on the City Council. They’ve seen me work as a Democratic leader for several years. Democrats can feel confident that when times are tough, they can count on me for Democratic leadership. [Tuesday’s] vote was a reflection of that confidence.”

Whitburn, former president of the San Diego Democratic Club, also added the Progressive Majority and the San Diego Unity League to his list of supporters this week.

“Stephen has been active in the Democratic party,” said Jess Durfee, chair of the San Diego Democratic Party. “Folks know Stephen. He’s actively engaged – and it doesn’t hurt he has endorsements from [Councilmember] Donna Frye, [Congressmember] Bob Filner, and the San Diego Democratic Club … those are all advantageous to winning the party’s endorsement. District 3 is a very progressive district, and Stephen Whitburn is the most progressive candidate.”

With a March 17 fund-raising filing date looming and undecided voters selecting candidates, the endorsement comes at a critical time in the campaign. Whitburn said he hopes the party’s volunteers will hit the campaign trail to walk precincts and encourage voters to cast ballots for him.

“This [endorsement] sends an important message to voters,” he said. “This gives our campaign the official seal of approval.”

Gloria, who has long been considered a frontrunner in the race, said he respects the party’s vote and will continue to focus on going door to door to talk with voters.

“Endorsements are no substitute for talking with voters,” he said. “Ultimately, it’s about the candidate and the issues. Don’t get me wrong, endorsements provide access to resources and bodies. You can have the greatest endorsements in the world, but you’d better have a pretty great candidate too.”

In recent weeks, Gloria has won the support of the League of Conservation Voters, the San Diego Police Officer’s Association (POA), San Diego City Firefighters, and the 2006 Democratic candidate in the 50th congressional district, Francine Busby.

Gloria said 22 firefighters walked District 3 on Saturday and knocked on 2,300 doors on his behalf.

“It’s going to be hard work,” Gloria said of the next leg of his campaign. “It’s going to take walking and knocking on a lot of doors – a lot of legwork and a grassroots effort to talk to voters on my behalf.”

Aguirre said Wednesday he is proud to have won 59 percent of the party’s vote, and said it “shows a great deal of support for what I’m doing … 59 percent do believe in fundamental reform for the city.”

“You have a portion of the central committee that comes from labor, who are members of labor unions – and, obviously, labor has serious reservations about Mike Aguirre,” Durfee said. “And, some came supporting Scott Peters. He had the second largest number of votes. When you split the base of support, it’s hard to reach the 60 percent requirement.”

Aguirre, who has attempted to reform city employee benefits, has lost the support of labor unions.

The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, which represents 119 local unions, announced in February it would endorse Peters. In its release noting Peters’ endorsement, the labor council said, “We represent thousands of firefighters, nurses, teachers, letter carriers, social workers, sanitation engineers and other public servants … We need elected representatives who understand and respect the value of these jobs, and don’t simply vilify people who work for a living. Electing Council President Peters as City Attorney will help bring an end to divisive politics in our fine city.”

“Labor was there in full force,” Aguirre said of Tuesday’s meeting. “Some of the labor leaders are refusing to embrace reform – no one is more pro-labor than I am. I believe deeply in the labor movement.”

Durfee said a challenge facing Aguirre leading up to June’s primary will be expanding the incumbent’s base of support.

“He has a strong base of support with people who are frustrated with city hall, and who believe there needs to be radical changes,” Durfee said. “There are a lot who question how he has handled those changes, though, and how he has put forth his message.”