Now Jen Campbell's going after Zapf's seat

On August 28, a former president of the California Democratic Club, Dr. Jennifer Campbell, filed papers with the city clerk's office to register as a candidate in the District 2 race.

Campbell is the fifth candidate to challenge incumbent Lorie Zapf in the November 2018 election. She joins environmental attorney Brian Pease, former Chargers executive Jordan Beane, real estate broker Daniel Smiechowski, and veteran Joshua Tomolak.

Democratic challengers see November 2018 as a chance to gain more Democratic seats on San Diego's city council. According to the registrar of voters, there are nearly 9000 more Democrats registered in the district, which includes Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, and Point Loma.

Campbell has spoken out against Mayor Faulconer and his supporters. She campaigned for Faulconer's opponent, city councilmember David Alvarez, in 2014.

"Don’t be fooled by Faulconer ads! He is a Republican and his record shows he votes on the side of the Republicans all the time," Campbell wrote in a Clairemont Democratic Party newsletter in 2014. "He was hand picked to run for mayor by Doug Manchester. Yes, that guy who gave at least $100,000 to defeat gay marriage in California. That guy who bought the Union Tribune and 8 other local newspapers as well as controlling much of the television news coverage in San Diego, and that guy who funds the Lincoln Club. We won’t mention his personal code of ethics."

While Zapf is outnumbered in terms of Democratic challengers, there is no question she will have a far superior war chest. As of July 28, Zapf has raised nearly $130,000 since the beginning of the year.