Here's Your Election Results Roundup Of Six North County Mayoral Elections

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Six North County mayors’ races are on the ballot next week.

Mayors in North County cities have sometimes run unopposed, but this year five incumbents up for re-election face challengers, and one long-time mayor is seeking another office.

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Four mayors in North County, all Republicans, have led their communities for eight years or more, so this election is a referendum of sorts on how cities see their leadership. Political party is less of a defining factor than the candidates’ approach to growth and development.

Carlsbad

In Carlsbad, Mayor Matt Hall, who has served on the city council for 24 years, ran for his second four-year term as mayor unopposed in 2014, but is now facing off with city council member Cori Schumacher. Schumacher jumped into politics after the successful campaign to defeat a proposed development on the shores of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Schumacher said she wants to give voters more of a voice on future development.

Vista

In Vista, Judy Ritter has served on the council for 20 years, and like Hall, was elected mayor in 2010. She faces two challengers: City Councilman Joe Green, elected two years ago, and small-business owner, Dominic D’Agostini. As in many cities, new housing development and dealing with increasing traffic are two issues facing voters in Vista, but marijuana is even more controversial. Ritter opposes a ballot initiative — Measure Z — that would bring up to 11 dispensaries to town, while Green and D’Agostini support it.

Escondido

In Escondido, Sam Abed has been on the council for 14 years and, like Hall and Ritter, has served as mayor for two four-year terms. He takes on political newcomer, Paul McNamara, a retired Marine. While Abed touts business successes under his leadership, McNamara cites a city that has lost its sense of community under divisive leadership. McNamara is cautious about new housing developments like Safari Highlands Ranch that Abed champions.

San Marcos

In San Marcos, Jim Desmond has served on the council for 14 years and was the mayor for the last 12. Desmond is now running for a spot on the County Supervisor’s dais. To replace him, voters have a choice between two two-term city council members, Rebecca Jones, a Republican and Chris Orlando, a Democrat, plus children’s book author Bradley Zink. Jones is more excited about development than Orlando, who has voted No on two recent development proposals, citing overcrowded schools and traffic concerns. All three candidates make improving traffic a top priority as the city grows.

Poway and Encinitas each have first-term mayors, seeking second terms.

Poway

In Poway Steve Vaus has served on the council for six years, the last four as mayor. He's facing three challengers: 20-year-old Emily Johnson, Brian Edmonston, who fought plans to develop housing on the Stoneridge Golf Course, and Yuri Bohlen, a former stand-up comedian.

Encinitas

In Encinitas, Catherine Blakespear was elected mayor two years ago, the only Democrat among North County’s elected mayors. She is running for a second term against challenger, real estate broker John Elliot, who wants to build housing on the Pacific View Park land the city bought for $10 million in 2014. Blakespear has worked to reach community agreement on a housing plan that would allow for more density while lobbying Sacramento for more freedom for cities to determine their own development future.