Conservative Hotel Magnate Buys San Diego Daily Newspaper

San Diego hotel magnate and conservative Doug Manchester is buying The San Diego Union-Tribune, the city's largest daily newspaper.

Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed by current owner Platinum Equity, which bought the 143-year-old newspaper from Copley Press in 2009, but the transaction is expected to close by Dec. 15, according to NBC San Diego.

Manchester, whom family, friends, and employees refer to as “Papa Doug,” has a long history with the city of San Diego. He developed Navy property downtown into the twin towers of the Manchester Grand Hyatt — a landmark on San Diego's waterfront.

Manchester graduated from San Diego State University, donated $5 million to the university and is the namesake of Manchester Hall, according to NBC San Diego.

Manchester's political views made news when he gave $125,000 to Proposition 8, the campaign that banned same-sex unions in California.

Manchester said he supported Proposition 8 because of his Catholic faith. His support of the measure prompted members of the gay community to boycott his downtown hotel in 2009.

Manchester sold the Hyatt for a reported $570 million this year.