wilson served three terms as mayor of san diego, from 1971 to 1983, winning election by a 2:1 margin each time. during his three terms he restructured san diego city council, reorganized the planning and civil service commissions, instituted campaign finance reform, and promoted the redevelopment of downtown san diego. he also helped to keep major league baseball's padres in san diego, helping to persuade local millionaire ray kroc to buy the team.