CHAVEZ, STENBERG IN LEAD EARLY FOR 2 SEATS
Chula Vista, the county’s second-largest city, is on its way to having new leadership on the City Council to represent newly drawn voting districts.
In early returns Tuesday, Carolina Chavez, an economic development director, was leading in the District 1 race with 34 percent, followed by Marco Contreras, a business owner, in second place with 25 percent. The seat, which encompasses the northeast portion of the city, is now held by Councilmember John McCann, who is running for mayor.
The race included three other candidates: Francisco Rivera, a principal civil engineer, who had 18 percent; Robert Cromer, a small business owner, with 12 percent; and Mark Liuag, a business analyst, with 9 percent.
Chavez received endorsements from various local leaders, including Chula Vista Councilmember Andrea Cardenas, San Diego City Councilmember Vivian Moreno and County Supervisor Nora Vargas. She placed a large focus on attracting more business to the city’s east side and developing more job centers so residents won’t have to leave Chula Vista.
Cromer sits on the city’s Measure A Oversight Committee. Passed by voters in 2018, Measure A is a sales tax to support public safety staffing. Public safety is his priority and he plans to ensure tax dollars are spent wisely. Contreras also ran on prioritizing public safety by “keeping our law enforcement strong.”
Rivera said he wanted to end homelessness in District 1 by collaborating with neighboring cities and the county.
Like Chavez, Liuag wants to attract more businesses. He wants to see big companies settle in the city, creating both short-term construction jobs and permanent employment opportunities in Chula Vista.
In District 2, Steve Stenberg, a retired firefighter, was the top vote-getter with 37 percent, while Jose Preciado, a Sweetwater Authority director, was second with 34 percent. The seat is held by Councilmember Jill Galvez, who also is running for mayor. Her district covers the northwest area of the city, including a portion of the forthcoming billion-dollar Bayfront development.
The District 2 race also had three other candidates: Patti Groulx, a budget manager, with 11 percent; Francia Castro, an entrepreneur, with 9 percent; and John Borga, a retired teacher, with 7 percent.
The top two vote-getters in the two council races will advance to the November general election.
Three hopefuls faced off to fill the city attorney seat. They are Simon Silva, Chula Vista’s deputy city attorney, who was leading with 50 percent; Dan Smith, a federal attorney, with 32 percent; and John Moot, attorney and former Chula Vista council member, with 16 percent.
The primary election comes after the City Council adopted new voting district boundaries in December.
Cities must redraw their council boundaries once every 10 years when new U.S. Census data become available. In doing so, they are charged with creating districts that are close to evenly populated, while trying to keep connected communities together.
The new boundaries focus on helping Districts 2 and 4 grow in population because they had been the most underpopulated. Some of the changes included splitting the Bayfront project between Districts 2 and 4, as well as having each expand east to gain neighborhoods from Districts 1 and 3.
The District 3 seat might also be up for grabs. Councilmember Steve Padilla, who represents that district, is running for state Senate District 18 against Alejandro Galicia. Padilla was ahead 64 percent to Galicia’s 35 percent, according to early results. They will face off again in November and if Padilla wins, the Chula Vista City Council will decide whether to hold a special election or appoint someone.