Donna Frye says she will not run for Board of Supervisors

Termed-out San Diego City Councilwoman Donna Frye announced Wednesday that she will not run for the county Board of Supervisors.

For months, Frye, who will be forced out of office in December due to term limits, has been mulling whether to challenge incumbent county Supervisor Ron Roberts in the June 8 election.

“After thoughtful consideration over many months, I have decided not to run for county supervisor,” Frye said in a statement. “The public deserves that my full attention be focused on the city of San Diego. I have not yet made plans for the future, however, be assured I will continue working on behalf of the public in whatever capacity that ultimately turns out to be.”

Frye has been on the City Council since 2001. She owns a surf shop in Clairemont with her husband, legendary surfer Skip Frye. Before being elected to the City Council, Frye was active in clean water efforts.

In 2004, Frye ran for mayor as a write-in candidate against former Mayor Dick Murphy and Roberts. She got the most votes, but thousands of ballots were thrown out because they were filled out incorrectly. After a lengthy court battle, Murphy was declared the victor in the election. Roberts came in third.

Murphy resigned about a year later amid a scandal involving the underfunding of San Diego’s pension system.

A field of 11 candidates, including Frye, ran to replace Murphy. Frye got the most votes in the July 26, 2005, special election, but didn’t secure the more than 50 percent required to win the mayor’s race outright. A runoff election was held in November between Frye and Mayor Jerry Sanders and she lost.

So far, Roberts is running unopposed. The filing deadline is March 12.

Also up for reelection on the county Board of Supervisors is Supervisor Bill Horn.