Perpetual spin machine

San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer, struggling to right his political boat after the departure of the Chargers and the downtown hepatitis outbreak, has acquired another member for his public relations team.

Marketing consultant and graphic designer Ashley Bailey is the mayor’s newest deputy press secretary, joining ex-SDSU flack Greg Block; Christina Chadwick, an ex-aide to then-Republican assemblyman Nathan Fletcher; and Craig Gustafson, ex–Union-Tribune reporter. Deputy press secretary Jen Lebron, also a former U-T scribe, has moved over to become the mayor’s director of public safety and neighborhoods. In addition, the city is currently advertising for another Senior Public Relations Officer, with a salary between $54,059.20 and $65,332.80.

The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce has gotten together with its traditional political ally, the GOP Lincoln Club, to set up independent spending committees for two of next year’s city council races. Coastal Communities Supporting Lorie Zapf for City Council and Independent Leadership Coalition Supporting Chris Cate for City Council each registered with the city clerk’s office on December 14.