The Aug. 10 candidate filing deadline has come and gone. The field to represent many South Bay offices is set as California’s General Election approaches.
There are many candidates who are incumbents, others are first-time candidates and some are trying their luck at political office once again.
These are the candidates seeking political office to represent the South Bay in some capacity.
State Offices
June’s Primary Election determined the match ups for the 40th State Senate seat and the 79th and 80th Assembly Districts.
The 40th State Senate seat, to represent Bonita, Chula Vista and National City has incumbent Ben Hueso, who resides in Logan Heights, facing retired judge Luis R. Vargas, of Chula Vista.
The 79th Assembly District covers portions of Chula Vista and National City. Incumbent Shirley N. Weber, who resides in San Diego, seeks another term as she goes against retired businessman John Moore.
Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher looks to continue serving parts of National City and Chula Vista in the 80th assembly district as she battles retired contractor Lincoln Pickard.
City Government
Current National City mayor Ron Morrison is ineligible to run for mayor after having already served the full three-terms, 12 years.
Looking to replace him as the city’s leader will be Councilwoman Alejandra Sotelo Solis, City Treasurer Mitch Beauchamp, realtor/loan officer Daniel Perez, and Planning Commissioner Ditas Delossantos Yamane.
Six people are seeking two seats on the National City city council. They are: Incumbent Mona Rios, current mayor Ron Morrison, Businesswoman Sherry Gogue, city employee James Kim and resident Jose Rodriguez and Candy Morales.
Councilman Albert Mendivil will not seek re-election after one-term.
In Chula Vista, the top two candidates in the June’s runoff election determined the two candidates who will be running for Chula Vista Mayor and City Council District 2, Northwest.
Otay Water District Director Hector Gastelum challenges Mary Casillas Salas for Mayor. In District 2, retired firefighter Steve Stenberg faces small business owner Jill Galvez in Northwest Chula Vista’s first ever district election.
Another district race is for District 1 Northeast Chula Vista and has veterans caseworker Mark Bartlett challenging incumbent John McCann.
In the city-wide race for city attorney Andrew Deddeh meets incumbent Glen Googins.
School Boards
Southwestern College Trustees Nora Vargas and Tim Nader are uncontested for seat No.2 and No.5, respectively. Nader filed his candidacy for re-election on the SWC board after he failed in his bid for superior court judge.
With SWC board member Norma Hernandez retiring, her seat No.4 now becomes open. The two candidates running for that open seat are educator Leticia Cazares and Community College Dean Nicole Jones.
All three incumbents whose terms are up this year for the Sweetwater Union High School District are going uncontested. Arturo M. Solis for Trustee Area No.1 which represents National City and west Chula Vista; Frank A. Tarantino for Trustee Area
No.3, eastern Chula Vista and Paula Hall for Trustee Area No.5, Imperial Beach, are all without opponents.
Francisco Tamayo has no challenger for Chula Vista Elementary School board seat No.1.
However, his two colleagues Leslie Ray Bunker and Eduardo Reyes do.
Battling Bunker for seat 5 are nurse and parent Famela Ramos; and educator Aaron Moreno.
Kate Bishop, who serves on PTA Council and educational coach Tania Alejandra Solis go up against Reyes.
Seven people are running for three spots on the National School District board, which serves 10 elementary schools in National City. Those candidates are incumbents: Maria Betancourt-Castaneda, Maria Dalla and Alma Sarmiento. New challengers include Randi Marie Castle, Jill Ann Milligan, Gonzalo Jesus Quintero and Thelma Sanchez.
Water Board
Steve Castaneda failed to make it out of the June Primary in his bid for Chula Vista City Council. He now seeks re-election into his second-term on the South Bay Irrigation district. Bank supervisor Paul Crawford is Castaneda’s opponent.
South Bay Irrigation Division No.4 has three candidates. Water Engineer/businessman Hector Maciel Martinez and Jerry Thomas, a retired landscape contractor and businessman Kevin O’Neill.
Incumbent Terry Thomas will not seek re-election, leaving her seat open without an incumbent.
Jerry Thomas is Terry’s younger brother.
