Ellis Drops Out of San Diego City Council Race, Clearing Path to Victory for Bry

SAN DIEGO, CA — Unable to see a "viable path to victory" in the general election, businessman Ray Ellis has dropped out of the race for the City Council District 1 seat, which represents Carmel Valley, Del Mar Heights, La Jolla and University City.

The decision by Ellis, who earned a spot in the runoff by placing second in the June primary, means high-tech entrepreneur Barbara Bry will almost certainly take the seat in December. She'll replace council President Sherri Lightner.

Ellis' decision to step away from the race also all but assures a 5-4 majority for Democrats on the technically nonpartisan panel. The council members agree on the vast majority of items that come before them, but partisan politics occasionally arise.

In a statement sent to supporters Friday, Ellis said Republican registration is down in the district and Democratic numbers are up.

"That and other factors at the top of the ticket contributed to a 17 percent swing for Democrats in District 1 compared to the June 2012 primary," Ellis said.

"Back then, Republicans enjoyed a 4 percent turnout advantage in District 1," he said. "This past June, Democrats enjoyed a 13 percent advantage."

Bry won the primary election in June with 48.4 percent of the vote, just short of the majority needed to win office outright. Ellis gained 33.9 percent.

Four years ago, Ellis actually won more votes than Lightner in the primary before coming up short in the general election.

"As we look to November, I believe the toxicity and the divisiveness at the top of ticket will get worse," Ellis said. "My values are important to me and I will not support presidential candidate Donald Trump."

He said that without a viable path to victory, he couldn't in good faith ask supporters to finance another effort.

"After much thought, I have decided my time is better spent getting back to work as a community volunteer," Ellis said. He has served on numerous boards and committees in the past.

In a statement, Bry thanked Ellis for his commitment to public service and being a passionate advocate for important issues.

"I look forward to seeing how he will continue his track record of civic engagement," Bry said.

"Vigorous debate is the foundation of democracy, and I believe more points of view contributed to a more diverse and constructive debate," she said. "I plan on continuing our volunteer-driven, grassroots campaign and listening to the needs of the residents in La Jolla, University City, Del Mar Heights and Carmel Valley through neighborhood coffees and knocking on doors."

City Clerk Elizabeth Maland told City News Service the race will remain on the ballot in November, per the City Charter.

Bry said that means she still needs to win this fall, as well as organize for creating a strong team after the general election.

— City News Service; Photos via candidates' websites