In early returns Tuesday night, Democrat Raul Campillo is leading in the race for San Diego City Council District 7 over Republican Noli Zosa.
District 7 race is one of just two council races with a Democrat and Republican facing off.
The winner could impact the power dynamic on the City Council.
If Democrat Raul Campillo replaces the termed-out councilman, Republican Scott Sherman, it would mean Democrats pick up an additional seat. Trying to stop him is Republican Noli Zosa.
Zosa is a co-founder of the restaurant chain Dirty Birds, while Campillo is a deputy San Diego city attorney.
In terms of fundraising, Zosa has outraised Campillo. Campillo raised $85,935, while Zosa raised $220,682 this year. Outside groups spent $24,955 opposing Campillo and $20,178 supporting him in the last two months before the election; meanwhile, outside groups spent $105,803 opposing Zosa and $41,997 supporting him during the same timeframe.
In the March primary, Campillo came in slightly ahead of Zosa, with 35.9% of the vote to Zosa's 30.5% of the vote. Two other Democrats took the remainder of the votes.
Currently, 42.8% of the registered voters in District 7 are Democrats and 26% are Republicans. Also, 25% of the district’s voters are decline to state. The district covers central San Diego neighborhoods including Linda Vista, Mission Valley, Allied Gardens and Del Cerro.
