Richard Bailey (politician)
Richard Bailey | |
|---|---|
| 51st Mayor of Coronado, California | |
| In office December 2016 – December 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Casey Tanaka |
| Succeeded by | John Duncan |
| Member of the Coronado City Council | |
| In office December 2012 – December 2016 | |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Independent (2026–present) Republican (until 2026) |
| Education | Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (BS) North Dakota (MS) |
| Occupation | Politician • Business owner • Professor |
Richard Bailey is an American politician, businessman, and educator who served as the 51st mayor of Coronado, California from 2016 to 2024. A political independent who left the Republican Party in 2026, he previously served on the Coronado city council from 2012 to 2016.
Bailey is a candidate for the District 2 seat on the San Diego City Council in the 2026 election.
Early life and education
[edit]Bailey was raised in La Mesa, California.[1][2] He attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in business finance.[3] He later completed a Master of Science in applied economics from the University of North Dakota.[3]
Career
[edit]Following his undergraduate studies, Bailey briefly worked in San Francisco before returning to San Diego county during the 2008 financial crisis.[4] He subsequently worked in corporate aerospace finance for United Technologies and in manufacturing, consulting, and private business ownership.[1][4] In January 2020, Bailey was appointed as an adjunct professor of economics at the University of San Diego Knauss School of Business, teaching macroeconomics and microeconomics.[1]
Political career
[edit]Coronado City Council (2012–2016)
[edit]Bailey entered public office in 2012 when he was elected to the Coronado City Council.[4][5]
Mayor of Coronado (2016–2024)
[edit]In 2016, Bailey ran for mayor of Coronado to succeed Casey Tanaka, who was ineligible for reelection due to term limits. Bailey won the election, becoming the youngest individual elected mayor in the city's history at 30 years of age.[3] He won re-election to a second four-year term in 2020, securing 99.16% of the vote in an election where he ran largely unopposed.[3][4] Due to municipal term limits, Bailey did not seek a third mayoral term in 2024 and was succeeded by Councilmember John Duncan.[6]
Following his mayoral tenure, Bailey moved to the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego and left the Republican Party in February 2026.[7]
San Diego City Council
[edit]In 2026, Bailey ran for the District 2 seat on the San Diego City Council vacated by Jennifer Campbell, who was ineligible for reelection due to term limits.[8][9] During the campaign, he was supported by state assemblymember Carl DeMaio,[10] former San Diego mayoral candidate Larry Turner,[11] and the San Diego Union-Tribune.[12] He finished first in the nonpartisan primary election with 34.8% of the vote.[13] He will face Democratic deputy city attorney Nicole Crosby in the November general election.[14][15]
Personal life
[edit]Bailey has made two attempts to summit Mount Everest, both involving severe medical complications.[16]
In May 2023, his first summit attempt was aborted after he contracted a severe lung infection during rotation climbs at high altitude. He was evacuated by helicopter to Kathmandu.[17]
On May 20, 2024, Bailey successfully reached the summit via the Southeast Ridge route.[18] During the final ascent, he contracted gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, causing severe weakness and dehydration. On the descent, weather conditions deteriorated into a whiteout, and freezing temperatures obscured his vision. His descent was significantly delayed due to his physical condition, but he reached safety after weathering a 28-hour storm at Camp 1.[18]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Incorvaia, Natalie (September 11, 2020). "Mayor Bailey Runs On Track Record". Coronado Times. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ↑ Spitzer, Jacques (September 25, 2016). "The Richard Bailey I've Come to Know". Coronado Times. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Richard Bailey becomes the first American Mayor to reach Everest Base Camp". Alpine Ramble Treks. December 11, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Bryan, Ann Marie (August 16, 2021). "Mayor Richard Bailey: Committed to Coronado While Running for Congress". Coronado Times. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ↑ Bryan, Ann Marie (April 19, 2015). "Councilman Richard Bailey on Part-Time Coronado Residents". Coronado Times. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Three new Coronado leaders vote to appoint a council member, bypassing an election". The San Diego Union-Tribune. December 18, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ↑ Lewis, Scott (March 3, 2026). "Richard Bailey the latest to leave GOP: A Q&A". KPBS. San Diego, CA. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
- ↑ Balc, Tessa (February 19, 2026). "Former mayor of Coronado announces run for San Diego City Council". Times of San Diego. San Diego, CA. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
- ↑ Balc, Tessa (December 5, 2025). "Coronado's former mayor moved to San Diego. He's acting a lot like someone running for something". Times of San Diego. San Diego, CA.
- ↑ "Plain English Voter Guide From Carl DeMaio". Reform California. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Larry Turner Endorses Richard Bailey for San Diego City Council D2". OB Rag. San Diego, CA. May 8, 2026. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
- ↑ San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board (May 1, 2026). "Richard Bailey and Henry Foster III for San Diego City Council". San Diego Union-Tribune. San Diego, CA. Retrieved July 6, 2026.(subscription required)
- ↑ "San Diego County Primary Election Results, June 2, 2026". June 2, 2026. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
- ↑ Gormlie, Frank (June 3, 2026). "It Will be Nicole Crosby vs. Richard Bailey in District 2". OB Rag. San Diego, CA. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
- ↑ Garrick, David (June 10, 2026). "November's San Diego City Council races appear set. As officials count more ballots, here's where the candidates stand". San Diego Union-Tribune. San Diego, CA. Retrieved July 6, 2026.(subscription required)
- ↑ Online, T. H. T. (2023-05-15). "Coronado Mayor contracts COVID, abandons Everest climb". The Himalayan Times. Retrieved 2026-06-08.
- ↑ Mayor of Coronado attempts to summit Mount Everest. FOX 5 San Diego (via YouTube). June 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- 1 2 Kitt, Megan (June 13, 2024). "After Everest Summit, Bailey Reflects – And Plans for the Next". Coronado Times. Retrieved June 8, 2026.