With the swearing in Tuesday of newly elected Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe, women represent a majority on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors for the first time in history.
Montgomery Steppe, who won the special election to succeed Nathan Fletcher in November, was sworn in during a brief event at the County Administration Center before the 10 a.m. Board of Supervisors meeting.
The nation’s fifth most populous county is now governed by three women — Chair Nora Vargas, Vice Chair Terra Lawson-Remer and Montgomery Steppe — and two men — Jim Desmond and Joel Anderson.
As her husband Steven stood next to her, Montgomery Steppe took the oath, which was followed by loud applause. Addressing the gallery, she said she was “humbled by the honor of being chosen by voters” to fill this seat, but “this moment is not mine alone.”
She thanked God, her husband and her parents, saying, “I get to stand in leadership and courage because of everything you instilled in me.” She also praised other family members for their community service, saying she is “determined to lead by the example they set for me.”
Montgomery Steppe said she stood on the shoulders of countless individuals who paved the way for change, including former Supervisor Leon Williams, “for the influence and precedence he set for our region.”
Vargas praised the “historical moment for San Diego County” when Montgomery Steppe became the first Black woman to serve on the board.
“I’m so excited to work alongside someone with her unwavering commitment, compassion, and vision for the community,” Vargas said. “I can’t wait for the amazing work we will do together.”
Lawson-Remer also praised her new colleague, citing “a thoughtful approach to governing, significant experience, and deep ties to the San Diego community, making her unlike anyone who has ever represented the residents of District 4 on the Board of Supervisors.”
“The diversity and perspectives now on this board have never been stronger, and we will be a better government and county because of it,” Lawson-Remer said.
The board is officially nonpartisan, but Montgomery Steppe’s election restored a 3-2 Democratic majority.
On Monday, in her last official act as a city councilmember, Montgomery Steppe voted in favor of the re-election of Sean Elo-Rivera to serve a third term as council president.
Updated at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023