Incumbent council member Kevin Faulconer was reelected with a majority of the votes in the June primary.

Incumbent council member Donna Frye was ineligible to run for reelection due to term limits.

District 8 consisted of the southern communities of San Diego and those along the Mexico–United States border, including the communities of Barrio Logan, Egger Highlands, Grant Hill, Golden Hill, Logan Heights, Memorial, Nestor, Ocean View Hills, Otay Mesa West, Otay Mesa East, San Ysidro, Sherman Heights, Southcrest, Stockton, and Tijuana River Valley.

Incumbent council member Ben Hueso was ineligible to run for reelection due to term limits.

Ballot title: If Financial Reform Conditions Are Met, Authorizes Temporary One-Half Cent Sales Tax Ballot language: "To help offset severe state cuts and help restore essential services, including police, fire and street resurfacing, shall the City of San Diego enact a temporary one-half cent sales tax for up to five years, only if the independent City Auditor certifies conditions have been met, including pension reforms and managed competition?"