Marco Verdugo is running for Chula Vista City Attorney in the special election on Nov. 7. Verdugo, 41, lives in east Chula Vista with his wife and their three children. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from SDSU and a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. The Democrat said he is a native of Chula Vista, and the son of Mexican immigrants.
“I am the only candidate that was born and raised in the city,” he said. “I am a graduate of Palomar Elementary School, Hilltop Middle School, and Eastlake High School. I have had the pleasure of living in every area of the city, and I have seen this city grow right before my eyes. I see the potential that we still have in this city. My wife and I are raising our three kids here, and when we started our family the only place that we wanted to live was Chula Vista.”
Verdugo said he believes that Chula Vista is the “hidden gem” in the county, and one of the chief places where the working class and middle-class families can find an affordable safe place to live with access to decent schools.
“I want to help keep it that way,” he said. “I have a vested interest in making sure this city continues to be safe, livable, and affordable for our community.”
Verdugo said he has been a deputy city attorney for over a decade, working for the City Attorney’s office for the City of San Diego.
“I have advised almost every city department in a large city like San Diego, and I currently advise smaller cities within the county with my law firm of Burke, Williams & Sorensen. The firm serves as city attorney for several cities in California and within San Diego County. I have served as city attorney for Lemon Grove, Solana Beach, and Coronado. I have been advising cities for my entire career since I started in the legal profession. My first internship was at the City of Chula Vista’s City Attorney’s office, so it is hopefully full circle for me.”
Verdugo said he volunteered pro bono for families escaping violence in Mexico through Casa Cornelia, helping them gain asylum into the U.S.
Verdugo said some of the biggest issues in Chula Vista and the region are housing and homelessness.
“What makes Chula Vista great is the fact that it is affordable for middle-class families,” he said. “As a deputy city attorney in San Diego, I have helped cut through red tape, add and preserve both market rate and affordable housing in San Diego. I will utilize those same approaches in Chula Vista to ensure that we continue to have housing that families can actually afford. I also think homelessness is a top priority and it is important for us that we do not allow San Diego’s homelessness crisis take root here in Chula Vista. I am a deputy city attorney that has the experience to solve this issue and help our city council implement laws that will work and withstand the legal challenge. It is a multi-faceted approach, and it will take housing, temporary shelters, mental health services, and enforcement. The problem is huge, and it is vexing. I have seen what works and what does not work, and I will use that experience to help Chula Vista officials keep the city safe and livable.”
Verdugo said as a resident, he was directly impacted by the Republic Services Waste Management workers in December 2021.
“The city attorney plays a huge role in every contract that the city enters into,” he said. “My approach is always a holistic one. One, relying on my background as a lifelong city resident when I am reviewing contracts, but also in making sure that every contract that we enter, that we are looking at potential impacts those contracts have, and ensuring the city is protected if something goes wrong in that contract. I am always making sure we have adequate protections in place in every contract that the city enters to make sure if something does go wrong, or if the person we are contracting with defaults on that contract, that the city is protected and has mechanisms to enforce the contract.”
Verdugo said the city attorney should reflect the community that they serve, they should have deep roots in that community, and have the knowledge and experience to protect the city.
“I am the only candidate that meets those three criteria,” he said. “I am a lifelong resident of the city. I have been endorsed by the Democratic party. I am the only Democrat in the race that has lived here longer than a year. I am going to take that perspective as a resident of the city to make sure we are protecting everyone in this community, and make sure that every neighborhood in this community is safe.”
Verdugo said it is important to him that City Hall is open and transparent for everyone.
“I do outreach in the community. I have grown up here,” he said. “I have dedicated my life to municipal law. I have seen the issues that big cities face, and small cities as well. I will be properly prepared to advise our city officials and be able to tackle any issue the city faces.”
“I think that our elected officials, including the city attorney should have an open-door policy and be willing to listen to the constituents they serve,” he continued. “That is the approach that I will take as the city attorney is that I will always have an open door to anyone who wants to discuss any issues going on in the city. I am going to be open in that respect and make sure that City Hall is open and transparent to everyone as well. I cannot make any promises to anyone, but what I can ensure is that I am willing to listen to whatever those concerns are.”
On Sept. 13, La Prensa reported that former Chula Vista City Attorney and current candidate Bart Miesfeld filed a lawsuit to challenge Verdugo’s title as deputy city attorney on his filed candidate documents and campaign materials, “giving the impression that he already serves in a high-ranking position within the City of Chula Vista’s City Attorney’s office.” Judge Katherine A Bacal ruled that the San Diego County Registrar of Voters and the Chula Vista City Clerk could not print Verdugo’s ballot designation as “Deputy City Attorney” but should use “City’s Attorney” as his official title. The Chula Vista City Clerk’s office confirmed this change.
Verdugo said he is proud to have served the public and protected taxpayers as a deputy City attorney for nearly a decade in cities large and small.
“I am very pleased with the judge’s decision to ensure my experience was reflected on ‘voters’ ballot’ as ‘City’s Attorney’,” he said. “I am disappointed my opponent has resorted to desperate ploys like lawsuits to gain political advantage, but my dedication to serving the community won’t ever waver.”
