Strong Primary Showing for Environmental Democrats

A sign directing voters to a polling location in southeast Mira Mesa.

By Tommy Hough

The first March primary in California history was a successful day for nearly all our San Diego County Democrats for Environmental Action endorsed candidates. According to the Registrar of Voters, some 60,000 votes remain to be counted.

• Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49) won his first primary as an incumbent with a 58 to 41 percent decision over his GOP competitor, who he'll face again in the fall.
  
  
• California Senate President pro tem Toni Atkins (SD-39) and Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (AD-80) both handily won their contests. Sen. Atkins had no primary challenger, while Assemblymember Gonzalez is dominating with a 71 percent finish over her two GOP challengers.
  
  
• In his race for the 78th Assembly District seat being vacated by Todd Gloria, San Diego City Councilmember Chris Ward (D-3) earned 57 percent over his two competitors, both Democrats. Ward will face rival Democrat Sarah Davis in November.
  
  
• Attorney and professor Terra Lawson-Remer won her primary and continues to consolidate her second place finish against GOP incumbent and Trump ally Kristen Gaspar in the all-important San Diego County Board of Supervisors District 3 (BOS-3) race.
  
  
• Former mayor and incumbent Chula Vista District 3 city councilmember Steve Padilla, who also serves as chair of the California Coastal Commission, won a victory over his two GOP rivals with 55 percent of the vote, and will face a Republican challenger in the fall.
  
  
• In San Diego City Council District 1 (D-1), Joe LaCava won his primary and continues to add votes to a strong first place finish in a crowded field to replace outgoing San Diego City Council President pro tem Barbara Bry. Joe will face Democrat Will Moore in November.
  
  
• Previous council and county supervisor candidate Stephen Whitburn won his primary and continues to add onto an impressive first place finish in San Diego City Council District 3 (D-3) to replace outgoing councilmember Chris Ward. Stephen will face Democrat Toni Duran this fall.
  
  
• Deputy city attorney Marni von Wilpert won her primary in San Diego City Council District 5 (D-5) with a back-and-forth nailbiter for first place over her GOP rival, who she will again face in the fall. District 5 is one of several council districts that have seen an increase in Democratic registration.
  
  
• In San Diego City Council District 7 (D-7), another area that's seen a surge in Democratic registration, deputy city attorney Raul Campillo continues to add onto a solid first-place finish over a well-funded GOP opponent, who he will similarly face in the fall.
  
  
• In the San Diego mayor's race, Assemblymember Todd Gloria (AD-78) continues to consolidate an exceedingly strong first place finish. Along with Todd, fellow Democrats Barbara Bry (D-1) and Tasha Williamson were rated qualified by the club, and Bry currently trails Republican councilmember Scott Sherman by 337 votes as they vie for a second place finish to compete against Todd in the fall.
  
  
• As was the case with Lilac Hills in 2016, San Diego County voters made it clear they're tired of destructive sprawl development, especially zombie projects like Measure B, the initiative to build the Newland Sierra development at the site of the former Merriam Mountains proposal. Measure B was soundly defeated with 58 percent of the vote.

Unfortunately, two of our endorsed candidates and one of our endorsed ballot measures have come up short.

• Port of San Diego Commissioner and founding club member Rafael Castellanos has conceded in the race for San Diego County Board of Supervisors District 1 (BOS-1) in a close loss to former Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest vice president Nora Vargas. All Democrats, Nora will face Sen. Ben Hueso in the general election.
  
  
• Marriage therapist and behavioral health specialist Kenya Taylor placed third in her Board of Supervisors District 2 (BOS-2) effort behind her two GOP rivals. As is the case with Rafael, we're disappointed Kenya won't move on to November, but we thank her for her campaign and advocacy, and we were proud to endorse her.
  
  
• Despite one of the most impressive environmental, labor, and community coalitions assembled in recent years, Measure A, i.e. the Save Our San Diego Countryside (SOS) initiative, succumbed to an extraordinary assault of money from realtors and developers, as well as the BIA, and has been defeated. After a brief lead, Measure A fell behind and was never able to recover ground.
  

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An egret at Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve along Mission Bay, Pacific Beach.

Photos by Tommy Hough and Greg Hoxsie.