Former San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott running for state senator

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Former San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott announced on Thursday that she has thrown her hat in the ring for State Senate District 40. The position is currently held by Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones.

Elliott was first elected in 2016 and served two consecutive four-year terms. She ended her last term in December and was succeeded by former deputy city attorney Heather Ferbert, who was voted into the role over former Assemblymember Brian Maienschein.

"As the mother of two college kids, I understand how difficult it is for San Diego families to make ends meet. And as the City's former prosecutor, I know how important it is to do all we can to protect our neighborhoods," Elliott said in a statement announcing her campaign for Senate. "I look forward to continuing to serve our region by working to make life safer and more affordable and am grateful to be stepping into this race with so much confidence from other elected leaders."

During her time as city attorney, Elliott helped train more than 500 law enforcement agencies across the state of California on San Diego's response to gun violence and approach to public safety.

She also created the city attorney's office's first affirmative civil enforcement unit, which works to protect consumers and others against unfair business practices. In addition, she relaunched "Your Safe Place," a program for domestic violence victims, and expanded its services to survivors of sex trafficking.

Elliott's campaign has support from other elected officials such as Congressmember Sara Jacobs, State Senator Catherine Blakespear, Assemblymembers Tasha Boerner, Darshana Patel, Chris Ward and former Assemblymember David Chiu.