Why this matters
The five-member Board of Supervisors serves a crucial role in the county by approving budgets, setting policies and even passing emergency ordinances.
We know you’re busy. So here at inewsource we are keeping tabs on the upcoming election for you.
Residents living in San Diego County’s District 1 will soon cast their vote for one of the seven candidates looking to fill a vacancy on the Board of Supervisors.
The special election comes after the departure of Democrat Nora Vargas, who said she would not serve a second term just one month after winning re-election. If a candidate does not receive a majority of the votes, it moves to a runoff between the top two vote-getters.
The additional election could cost taxpayers as much as $6 million.
The five-member Board of Supervisors approves county budgets, sets policies and even has the ability to pass emergency ordinances. Though it is officially nonpartisan, the District 1 vacancy has left an even split among Republicans and Democrats, meaning the race will decide which party has majority control of the board.
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming election.
Can I vote?
This is not a county-wide election, and only impacts voters mostly in South County — communities such as Chula Vista, National City, Imperial Beach and San Ysidro. The district also includes other city of San Diego neighborhoods such as Barrio Logan and Southcrest. You can check which district you live in here.
Live in the community but need to register to vote? March 24 is the deadline. Learn more here.
When and where can I vote?
Ballots start going out March 10 and can be mailed back or dropped off at official drop boxes throughout the district.
Early in-person voting also begins that day. The Registrar of Voters will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays at 5600 Overland Ave. Seven more vote centers are expected to open beginning March 29.
The last day to vote is April 8. Thirteen vote centers will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. that day.
You can find locations here.
Why is there a special election?
Vargas announced in December that she would not take her oath of office for her second term, citing “personal safety and security reasons.” But as we previously reported, law enforcement agencies in Chula Vista, where she lives, and the county said they had received no formal complaints from Vargas about threats to her, and had no investigation ongoing.
We also reported that months before resigning, Vargas formed her own consulting firm and started earning income.
She has not publicly commented about her resignation since her announcement, and did not respond to inewsource’s requests for comment.
What happens next?
If a candidate earns more than 50% of the vote on April 8, they win — and the cost of the election would be cut by half.
If not, another election will be held July 1. among the top two vote-getters. Whoever ends up being elected will take over the term which ends January 2029.
Dates to know
March 10: Ballots start going out and early voting is available at the registrar’s office from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
March 11: Ballot boxes will be available daily up until the last day of voting at 8 p.m.
March 24: Voter registration deadline. Here’s where you can register. (If you do miss the deadline you can still conditionally register and vote by visiting any voting center or the registrar’s office through Election Day.)
March 29: Seven voting centers will be available from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.
April 8: Last day to vote.
May 8: Election results will be certified. From there, if no one has a majority vote, two candidates will advance to an election in July.
Here are the candidates, including their responses to inewsource on their first priorities if elected.
Candidate Guide 🗳️
About Paloma Aguirre, Democrat
Since 2022, Aguirre has been Imperial Beach’s mayor and at the forefront of the Tijuana sewage crisis.
She also serves on the California Coastal Commission., and is a board member of San Diego Community Power, a community choice aggregation program that serves as an alternative for San Diego Gas and Electric.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of San Diego. Master’s degree in marine biodiversity and conservation from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.
Top first-year priorities if elected:
Homelessness solutions: The County has billions in reserves but no real plan to get people off the streets. I will demand a full audit of County homelessness spending to redirect resources toward mental health and addiction treatment, shelter expansion, and proven solutions that actually reduce homelessness instead of funding more ineffective bureaucracy.
Tackle home and rent costs across the board: Build enough new affordable homes that working families can actually afford and keep people housed by increasing tenant protections.
Fix the Tijuana River sewage crisis: I’ve secured over $600 million from Washington to begin fixing the sewage disaster, but the County has failed to step up. I will push for full County funding for sewage infrastructure and demand emergency action to protect South County’s air, water, and public health.
About Elizabeth Efird, Democrat
Efird said she works as an affordable energy consultant.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in child and family development and master’s degree in child development from San Diego State University.
Top first-year priorities if elected:
Tackling housing affordability: I will prioritize solutions that increase affordable housing options for all residents, particularly focusing on sustainable development, zoning reforms, and supporting policies that make homeownership accessible to working families and first-time buyers.
Addressing the Tijuana River sewage crisis: I am committed to finding long-term solutions for the ongoing sewage contamination problem, advocating for stronger partnerships between local, state, and federal authorities, and seeking new funding sources to address cross-border pollution and environmental justice issues.
Supporting local economy and workforce development: I will focus on enhancing support for small businesses, creating job opportunities through career technical education, and improving workforce readiness, especially in industries that will help our community thrive in a rapidly changing economy.
About John McCann, Republican
Website
McCann has served on the Chula Vista City Council and since 2022 has been mayor. He serves as the city’s representative on the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System board and previously was a member of the Sweetwater Union High School District board. For the past 24 years, McCann is a Navy veteran and continues to serve as a commander in the Navy Reserve.
Education: Bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in economics from SDSU.
Top first-year priorities if elected:
Public safety: Mayor McCann believes that protecting our neighborhoods from crime and drugs is the most important duty of an elected official. McCann is proud to be endorsed by the San Diego County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association.
Getting homeless off the streets: Mayor McCann led the adoption of a ban on public homeless encampments in my city. They are a breeding ground for drugs and crime, unsafe for both the homeless and nearby residents. The County’s social service agency must prioritize getting homeless off the streets.
Supporting seniors and cost of living: As Mayor, and before that City Councilmember, McCann led the fight against unfair taxes and worked to decrease the cost of living for Chula Vista residents, especially seniors and working class families most affected by these taxes. He successfully worked to defeat sales taxes that would increase the cost of everyday items like food, gas, and other everyday essentials. McCann championed decreasing citizens’ utility and power costs.
About Lincoln Pickard, Republican
Website
Pickard did not respond to requests from inewsource.
About Carolina Chavez, Democrat
Website
Chavez was first elected to the Chula Vista City Council in 2022 and serves as deputy mayor. She represents District 1, which includes neighborhoods such as Rancho del Rey, Eastlake and near Bonita.
She is Chula Vista’s representative on the San Diego Association of Governments board.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies from the Centro Universitario de Tijuana.
Top first-year priorities if elected:
Addressing homelessness with compassion and urgency: Partner with local organizations and empower cities to lead on immediate and long-term solutions, including expanding shelter options with wraparound services that provide mental health support, job training, and pathways to stable housing.
Program audit for accountability and efficiency: Within the first 100 days, introduce a board letter requesting the CAO to conduct a comprehensive audit of existing programs to ensure they’re delivering results. With a projected deficit in the next fiscal year and reduced federal funding, this audit will identify cost-saving opportunities, streamline services, and safeguard critical programs from potential cuts.
Enhancing public health and economic opportunity: Expand access to healthcare, including mental health care, address public health challenges like the Tijuana River pollution, and support job creation and small business growth. This includes advocating for policies and partnerships that expand affordable housing, ensuring working families can thrive in our region.
About Louis Fuentes, Republican
Fuentes is president of a family-owned, heating, ventilation and air conditioning company. He previously served as a Calexico city council member and Imperial County supervisor before moving to San Diego County.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in development economics and international development from UC Berkeley.
Top first-year priorities if elected:
Secure District 1’s fair share: For too long, our district has been underfunded. I will advocate for increased investment in infrastructure, small business support, and affordable housing. Ensure our fire and law enforcement agencies have the necessary tools to protect the Citizens of San Diego County from natural disasters and threats. We need better roads, public services, and job opportunities to strengthen our economy and improve quality of life for all residents.
Fix the South Bay sewage crisis: The ongoing sewage spills along the U.S.-Mexico border are a public health and environmental disaster. I will push for immediate federal and state action from both governments to manage wastewater flow, work with my contacts in Mexico and DC and ensure long-term solutions to protect our communities and coastline.
Public safety and local support: I will work to ensure humane enforcement policies that prioritize public safety while protecting vulnerable communities. From kids, young adults to the elderly. The most vulnerable need to feel they are safe – in schools, on the streets, at the park and neighborhoods. I will also fight for resources to support assistance, housing, and workforce integration for anyone who needs it.
About Vivian Moreno, Democrat
Website
Moreno was elected to San Diego City Council in 2018 and represents District 8. She also serves as a chair of the city’s Audit Committee, vice chair of the Budget and Government Efficiency Committee and a member of the Land Use and Housing and Rules Committee.
She also chairs the Otay Mesa Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District Public Financing Authority and serves on the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System board
Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science from UCSD.
Top first-year priorities if elected:
Homes everyone can afford: The lack of affordable housing in San Diego County is forcing residents to leave or face homelessness. To address this, I have worked to simplify the construction of new affordable homes and protect existing ones from demolition. The County must lead regional efforts to resolve the homelessness crisis with comprehensive, data-driven solutions, including mental health, substance abuse treatment, job training, permanent supportive housing, and expanded behavioral services.
Stop the double taxing: The inequitable distribution of transportation resources in District 1 communities is a pressing issue. South Bay residents face an unfair burden with the SR-125 toll road, effectively being double-taxed. As your Supervisor, I will continue to lead the charge to eliminate this toll and fight for accessible transportation solutions for our communities.
Stopping the smell of sewage: The Tijuana River Valley’s cross-border pollution is the most pressing environmental crisis in the United States today, yet it’s met with inaction from both state and federal governments. As Supervisor, I’m committed to securing full federal accountability and directing funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other sources towards implementing long-awaited solutions.
Type of Content
News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
