Nora Vargas has taken an early lead over challenger state Sen. Ben Hueso for the San Diego County District 1 supervisor seat. For the first time in 25 years, a Democrat will fill that seat.
UPDATE: 8:37 p.m., Nov.3, 2020:
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San Diego's South Bay region will be electing a new county supervisor for the first time in 25 years. The choice is between state Sen. Ben Hueso or Planned Parenthood executive and community college board member Nora Vargas.
Current District 1 Supervisor Greg Cox, a moderate Republican, cannot run because of term limits. Both Vargas and Hueso are Democrats. The district includes Otay Mesa, San Ysidro, Imperial Beach, Coronado, Chula Vista, National City and Barrio Logan.
The candidates emphasized their values and experience in the race: Vargas argues her direct experience in health care qualifies her for the job, particularly as the county government grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. Hueso says his 15 years in elected office prove he has the experience in policymaking to deliver results for his constituents.
Both candidates won endorsements from several Democratic elected officials in local and state governments. Vargas, however, won the endorsement of the San Diego County Democratic Party, which can provide a big financial boost through the party's ability to send mailers promoting her candidacy to registered Democrats.
Much of the attention and spending on county supervisor races this election was in District 3, where Democrat Terra Lawson-Remer hopes to unseat incumbent Kristin Gaspar, a Republican. That would give Democrats a majority on the county board of supervisors, allowing them to enact changes to policies around growth and development, social welfare programs, transportation, cannabis access and energy.
