A Problem Solver, Not a Career Politician for San Diego Mayor

Barbara Bry has spent her life challenging the status quo, standing up for others, and getting things done.  Prior to running for public office, she was a successful technology entrepreneur, started two organizations that empower women and served on the board of Planned Parenthood. Her priorities are re-building San Diego to focus on economic, social and environmental justice.

 Barbara is currently the President Pro Tem of the San Diego City Council representing the 1st District. She serves as Chair of the Budget and Government Efficiency Committee and as Vice Chair of the Rules Committee and the Committee on Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods. Prior to serving in office, Barbara was a high-tech entrepreneur and community leader.  She worked her way through college and grad school, earning a Master’s Degree in Business from Harvard. While a single working mom, Barbara was on the founding team of several local high-tech companies which have created hundreds of local jobs. Her vision for San Diego comes out of her experience as an entrepreneur and her long-time involvement with science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). 

As a leader in the San Diego business community, Barbara taught entrepreneurship at UCSD and founded Athena San Diego, an organization that supports the advancement of women in the tech and life science sector. As a business journalist, she has also spotlighted the vibrant small business community that supports our City’s economy and was honored as Small Business Journalist of the Year for San Diego and Imperial Counties by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Before running for the Council, she had never sought elective office. But had a pretty good idea about how government worked because she had been active in the community for many years, and Barbara had covered politicians as a journalist and worked with them as an entrepreneur. 

What Barbara found at City Hall was not what she expected. And what she found is something every San Diego resident has a right to know. Bluntly put, this City is a mess. Each day she encounters issue after issue in which decisions are made with either no information or bad information. 

As San Diego's Mayor, Barbara will

• Create a city government accountable to taxpayers that makes decisions in public, not behind closed doors. 
• Attract high-paying 21st-century jobs closer to where workers live – to reduce commutes and traffic congestion. 
• Focus on the real causes of homelessness – including substance abuse and mental health issues. 
• Enforce the city’s zoning to halt the proliferation of short-term vacation rentals that disrupt neighborhoods and diminish our limited housing supply. 
• Rethink city operations in response to COVID19 impacts.

Barbara has lived here in San Diego for more than 35 years. She is married to Neil Senturia, raised her two daughters here, and is a proud Grandmother. She served as President of the Board of the Children's Museum of San Diego, as Vice Chair of the San Diego Jewish Community Foundation and on the board of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest.  She was also the team manager for her daughters Bobby Sox team.