Why this matters
Elected candidates will represent 58,000 National City residents and help manage the cash-strapped city’s $90 million annual general fund budget.
Jose Rodriguez took an early lead over his opponent Marcus Bush for the city’s mayoral seat.
The first round of unofficial results released Tuesday night showed Rodriguez earning 55% of the vote. Bush had 32%. A third candidate, community organizer Jacobb Castrejon, trailed behind the two councilmembers at 6%.
If Rodriguez continues his winning streak in the race, he will become the city’s first Latino mayor of National City. The first Latina elected as mayor was Alejandra Sotelo-Solis in 2018.
The mayoral race has been contentious, including a surprise endorsement of Bush by current Mayor Ron Morrison, reports that Rodriguez misrepresented his educational background on a city application and disagreements over a business license tax reform.
Much is at stake in National City. The council’s new leadership must balance a $13 million structural budget deficit. City Manager Doug Schulze has warned the council that a state trustee could take power over their positions if the city cannot successfully solve its budget woes.
Your support powers inewsource’s deep dive into National City’s election dynamics and fiscal hurdles. Keep the updates coming as the story develops.
A line of voters on Tuesday bent around the corner of the National City Public Library, one of the city’s voting centers.
A San Diego Documenter spoke to voters, but many declined to share who they voted for.
Nathan Sanchez said he didn’t recall who he voted for mayor, but that he’d like them to prioritize “the community and all of the stuff that we need to do around here, like the streets and more school funding.”
Gibran Timbres said he wants the city to prioritize balancing its budget. “I would hope they would fix that,” he said.
Council district races
Incumbent Councilmember Luz Molina took the lead over her opponent, National School District board member Cindy Lopez for the city’s District 1 seat.
The first round of unofficial results showed Molina leading with 51% of the vote.
City Council in District 1 oversees the city’s bayfront on the west side.
Incumbent Councilmember Ditas Yamane took the lead over her opponents Edward Nieto and Jerry Cano for the city’s District 3 seat.
Early results showed Yamane leading with 52% of the vote. Edward Nieto, a former governmental accountant, had 30% of the votes, and Cano, an environmental protection specialist, trailed last at 17%.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
Type of Content
News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
