Municipal elections in California are officially non-partisan, though some candidates do receive funding and support from various political parties.

Wilson received a majority of the votes in the primary and was reelected mayor with no need for a runoff election.

On June 19, 1979, former newspaper publisher Simon Casady announced he would run for mayor of San Diego.

Although the position of mayor is officially non-partisan, Casady, a liberal Democrat and long-time activist, hoped to run a partisan campaign against Wilson.

Wilson emphasized his positive record in his previous two terms as mayor in his re-election campaign.