San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria assumes the presidency of the United States Conference of Mayors during the organization’s 94th Annual Meeting in Long Beach, California. Gloria became the first mayor from San Diego and the first openly LGBTQ+ mayor to lead the national organization. The mayor said his agenda will focus on housing affordability, public safety and expanding economic opportunity in cities across the country. – Photo courtesy of the United States Conference of Mayors.
Filipino American mayor becomes first San Diego leader and first openly LGBTQ+ mayor to head the national organization representing U.S. cities
LONG BEACH, Calif. — San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria has assumed the presidency of the United States Conference of Mayors, becoming the first mayor from San Diego and the first openly LGBTQ+ mayor to lead the national organization.
Gloria was installed as the 84th president of the bipartisan group during its 94th Annual Meeting in Long Beach, where mayors from across the country gathered to discuss policy priorities affecting American cities. The organization represents more than 1,500 cities with populations of at least 30,000 and advocates on municipal issues before Congress and federal agencies.
The leadership transition follows the conference’s succession process, through which Gloria previously served in senior leadership positions before advancing to the presidency. His new role places him in a key leadership position within one of the country’s largest organizations representing city governments.
Gloria, whose ancestry includes Filipino, Puerto Rican, Dutch and Native American roots, is among the highest-profile Filipino American elected officials currently serving in local government. His election also places a Filipino American leader at the head of an organization that serves as a collective voice for cities across the United States.
In remarks following his installation, Gloria said he was honored by the confidence of fellow mayors and pledged to focus on issues affecting communities nationwide, including housing affordability, public safety and economic opportunity.
Those priorities reflect challenges facing many local governments as cities continue to confront housing shortages, infrastructure needs, budget pressures and growing demand for public services.
The Conference of Mayors has described Gloria’s presidency as a historic milestone, noting that he is the first openly LGBTQ+ mayor to lead the organization. His term begins as municipal leaders across the country continue to seek solutions to rising housing costs, homelessness, transportation demands and economic competitiveness.
Gloria has served as mayor of San Diego since December 2020 after previously serving on the City Council, including as council president and interim mayor. He became the first openly LGBTQ+ person and the first person of color elected mayor of San Diego.
His election brings additional national visibility to San Diego while placing one of California’s largest cities in a prominent leadership role within the organization. The conference’s policy resolutions often shape its advocacy efforts on housing, transportation, public safety, climate resilience and economic development.
Gloria succeeds Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, who served as conference president during the past year. As he begins his term, Gloria has said he intends to emphasize practical approaches to addressing the challenges facing cities and their residents.
