History has always been on Steve Padilla’s side In 1994 he made history as being the youngest elected city council member in Chula Vista at 27-years-old.
Eight years later, Padilla mad history when he was elected the city’s first Latino mayor.
Just two-years ago he was on the other end of history as he was defeated by two votes by Councilman John McCann in what is said to be the closest election race in the city’s history.
And Tuesday night, history was on Padilla’s side one last time as 56.11 percent of voters in Chula Vista’s Southeast region, District 3 elected Padilla as their council representative over small business owner Jason Paguio, who only secured 43.89 percent of the vote or 4,894 with 100 percent of the precincts reporting.
This election marks Padilla’s first time back on the dais since losing out in his reelection to former mayor Cheryl Cox in 2004.
“I am extremely greatful to the voters in District 3 and the people in the community who have given me an opportunity to serve again and be a part of a council that will work hard to move Chula Vista forward into the future,” Padilla said the morning after the election.
As the councilman of District 3, Padilla is in charge of serving the constituency that is part of Interstate 805 along Telegraph Canyon Road, with the boundaries coming up Paseo del Rancho to H Street. It also covers La Media, back to Telegraph Canyon Road to Haunte Parkway.
He said his goals for the district include increasing the amount of neighborhood input into decision-making by having residents more engaged at city hall. He said he also wants to improve the district’s quality of life.
Padilla held an election watch party at Savoie Eatery in the Otay Ranch Mall where the mood was loose in celebratory fashion with several former and current community leaders on hand to support Padilla
One of those supporters was Mayor Mary Casilllas Salas , who once served alongside her Democratic colleague.
Casillas Salas said she is excited to get back to work with Padilla again.
“I am really glad that Steve is going to comeback with his experience,” Casillas Salas said. “There are so many initiatives that we are working on right now that he was involved in before and to be able to have that historical knowledge is a good thing.”
Among the races that Padilla and others where watching on a television screen at a corner of the restaurant was the historical presidential race. Most in the room where in shock that Trump appeared to be the winner.
Trump’s victory appeared to take the wind out of the sails of any celebration of local races.
In the race for Southwest Chula Vista, District 4, retired Escondido firefighter Mike Diaz overcame a five-point deficit on election night to win his race over former councilman and political heavyweight Rudy Ramirez.
With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, Diaz received 5,077 votes or 51.06 of the vote, while Ramirez garnered 4,866 of the votes, 48.94 percent. In the primary election, Diaz, who received the endorsement of the Chula Vista firefighters’ union, finished in second place, only 52 votes behind Ramirez.
“For me, what made it happened was one thing: The power of prayer,” he said about his come from behind win. “I went to bed last night five points behind and I just gave it to God. I am a guy of faith. How do you overcome that [five-point deficit]? That was a miracle. That just doesn’t happen.”
District 4 stretches from Interstate 805 to the bay and includes the Montgomery area.
As the representative of Chula Vista’s Southwest district, Diaz said he will establish consensus on the council and work to address every residents’ needs.
The other big winner on election night was Measure P, a measure for a half-cent sales tax increase in Chula Vista to fund infrastructure.
“This reaffirms what we knew based on the feedback we got from the citizens before we put the tax measure on. We let them define what they wanted fix and we set out an expenditure plan to make sure the money world go out to those different areas,” Casillas Salas said. “I’m just really, really glad that the people voted for it and I think they are going to see some very direct results that would improve their neighborhoods and improve their quality of life.”
