At a special meeting on Jan. 14, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted for a special election to fill District 1 Nora Vargas who announced on Dec. 20, 2024, that she would not be taking the oath of office after winning the November election. Vargas said after careful consideration, and due to personal safety and security reasons, she would not fulfill her second term.
Since her abdication, several local officials have said that they would consider running for the vacant seat: Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, Chula Vista District 1 Councilmember Carolina Chavez, Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aquirre, and San Diego Councilmember Vivian Moreno.
The special election is slated for April 18. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes in the Special Primary Election, the Special General Election would be held on July 1. Candidate filing period is from Jan. 15 – 28. Voter information will be mailed on Feb. 27. Ballots mailed on March 10, with results of the election certified by May 8. The estimated to cost $2.9 -$3.3 million per election.
Supervisor Jim Desmond put a motion for holding a special election.
“The residents of District 1 deserve an opportunity to elect their next representative for nearly a full four-year term through a transparent democratic process and not a political appointment. Unfortunately, we faced this decision before, and I think we made the right choice. We allowed the people to decide with a fair election. Now with Supervisor Vargas stepping down, we should do the same. We all recognize that this special election comes with a cost. When Fletcher resigned, the election expense was over $5 million. It is probably going to be the same or more this time around. But the cost of democracy is invaluable,” he said.
Supervisor Joel Anderson said that Vargas’ staff is still working, and that District 1 will continue to be served during the interim in a December press release.
Chula Vista Mayor John McCann said he is running in the special election.
“As County Supervisor my priorities will be public safety and reducing crime. Closing homeless encampments in public spaces and ensuring we have effective services to get people off the streets and stay off the streets. And lower the cost of living for working families,” he said. “As a councilman and now mayor, I have worked very hard to successfully make Chula Vista one of the safest cities in California. Under my leadership as mayor, we passed one of the toughest bans on homeless encampments in public spaces in the county.”
Chula Vista Councilmember Carolina Chavez told Axios San Diego she was joining the race on Jan. 2.
Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre announced that she will run for supervisor on Dec. 30.
“Whether it’s our long-neglected sewage crisis or working people’s financial struggles, our communities are calling out for real leadership and change,” Aguirre said in a press release. “I’ve fought for change when our communities have been ignored and taken on inaction in both parties, including my own. I’m ready to take that fight to the County level.”
“Maybe because I used to bodyboard competitively, I’m not afraid of making waves,” Aguirre added. “I’ve gotten results on the sewage crisis by standing up to the status quo, not going with the flow. As Supervisor, I’ll bring that same willingness to challenge politics as usual to fight for South County’s families and future.”
Aguirre outlined her three priorities in advancing to the Board of Supervisors:
“Stopping the sewage crisis poisoning South County’s air, water, and future. Standing up for South County’s fair share for housing, public safety, and more. Taking on special interests making life too expensive for working people.”
On Jan. 8, Aguirre said that she would urge the Board of Supervisors to reconsider its decision and move forward with the application for federal Superfund environmental clean-up assistance for South County.
“For too long, the people of South County have paid the price for inaction to clean up our air, water, and beaches. If La Jolla or Del Mar were being poisoned by toxic sewage, they’d call in the National Guard immediately, but solutions to South County’s crisis are delayed at every turn. We don’t need more studies or hearings, we need more action. The time to demand Superfund designation for South County is now,” she stated.
On Jan. 14, National City Mayor Ron Morrison and the entire National City Council endorsed Aguirre for County Supervisor.
“Paloma Aguirre doesn’t talk about solving problems—she gets to work and gets results,” said Mayor Ron Morrison in a press release. “Paloma has taken on the toughest issues, from the sewage crisis to skyrocketing costs, and delivered for South County. Paloma puts people first and puts politics as usual aside and that’s exactly the kind of leadership we need at the County level. Our City Council doesn’t often unanimously agree, but we are totally united in supporting Paloma Aguirre and urge all National City residents to join us.”
Aguirre has been the County’s leading voice for local, state and federal action on the cross-border sewage crisis harming South County’s clean water and air quality. Aguirre’s strong advocacy was recently credited for helping secure $250 million in federal funds towards fixing the Tijuana River sewage crisis. As Mayor, Aguirre has also added new housing, expanded resources for seniors and worked with law enforcement to keep IB one of the safest coastal cities in San Diego County, according to the press release.
“When leaders come together, we get more done,” stated Aguirre. “Mayor Morrison and the National City City Council are tireless champions for their community, and I’m honored to have their trust. Together, we’ll fight to change the unacceptable Tijuana sewage crisis and unaffordable cost of living that’s hammering local families. The people of South County deserve nothing less.”
San Diego City Councilmember Vivian Moreno announced her run for District 1 supervisor on X on Dec. 23, 2024.
There are more than 376,000 voters living in District 1.
The First Supervisorial District includes the cities of Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City and some communities within the City of San Diego, such as Barrio Logan, East Village, Golden Hill and more. Additionally, District 1 includes the unincorporated areas of Bonita, East Otay Mesa, Lincoln Acres, Sunnyside and Spring Valley/La Presa.
