San Diego

Pledging to run a campaign “built upon coalition, community, consensus and commitment,” Latino political activist Andrea Skorepa announced her candidacy for the San Diego City Council’s 8th District seat Thursday.

At a news conference outside City Hall, the 42-year-old San Diego native cited the fact that she has lived and worked her entire life in the 8th District as evidence that she is better-qualified to represent it than Councilman Bob Filner.

“I know the needs of the people from the neighborhood level up,” Skorepa told a crowd of about 40 supporters. “I have spent my life making a difference in my community and our city.”

A former schoolteacher, Skorepa has been active in civic organizations in San Ysidro and citywide, including Casa Familiar, the mayor’s Latino Advisory Board and the Citizens Advisory Board on Police-Community Relations.

Skorepa wasted little time in trying to put Filner on the defensive, challenging him to join her in signing a pledge to serve a full four-year term if elected this fall. That demand--one commonly issued by challengers--is intended to focus public attention on Filner’s possible 1992 congressional aspirations.

“I will not use the 8th District as a steppingstone to higher office,” Skorepa said.