Yes, he is a big favorite of the California Republican Party.
In 2012, DeMaio lost to Bob Filner for San Diego Mayor. Bob Filner resigned as mayor after only 8 months in office due to a sexual harrassment scandal.
DeMaio did not run in the 2013 mayoral special election to replace Filner. The Republican who ran and won was Kevin Faulconer. DeMaio had a promise of big Republican for his congressional run in 2014.
Big Republican donors were counting on his marquee name on next Junes ballot to draw conservatives to the polls and help the partys down-ballot candidates. They also preferred to back a less divisive figure like Faulconer for mayor after Mayor Bob Filners combative tenure ended after less than nine months amid a sexual harassment scandal.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/sep/03/demaio-mayor-congress/
I don't live in this congressional district, so I be casting a vote. My opinion is that San Diego does not need another elected official that can't keep it zipped. I would prefer that DeMaio not win this election.
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