Chris Cate was the last Republican elected official in City Hall.

His successor, San Diego City Councilmember Kent Lee, serves District 6 and completes an all-Democrat Council (with Dem mayor Todd Gloria).

Throughout his tenure, Cate says local leaders grew more courageous — willing to flirt with taboo issues like the coastal height limit, trash pick-up charges and vacation rentals. But now, the homeless crisis looms over everything.

In this exit-interview episode, Cate and Scott Lewis talk about the "third rails" of local politics, the evolution of the City Council, the future of the Republican party and more.

Extra credit: Cate was featured in San Diego 101: A Short History of San Diego Politics. It's an 18-year recap of local public affairs and political drama. It's in this feed, dated Dec. 21, 2021. Here's a link to the episode.

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