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Good morning, San Diego ☀️

It’s the morning after Election Day! Here’s what we have for you today:

Andrew Keatts

Andrew Keatts

General manager and editor

Top story

Desmond, von Wilpert to face off in redrawn CA-48 that could decide control of Congress

County Supervisor Jim Desmond has advanced to the general election in the 48th Congressional District, and City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert has a large lead over her Democratic opponents, setting up a November runoff that could determine control of Congress.

Three-time candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar is well behind von Wilpert in one of the most closely watched races in the country.

That’s the biggest headline locally, but we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about the election results as they currently stand — and yes, the Registrar is still counting, and will be for some time.

Here’s your local election roundup for the morning:

🏡 Measure A trails…by a lot. The proposal to tax second homes that sit vacant more than half the year won support from just 42.3% of city voters, with 57.7% opposed.

• But, city officials aren’t ready to call the fight just yet, as they hold out hope it can sneak past 50% as the count continues.

🏖️ The District 2 council race appears to be set. Former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey took 38.8% of the vote, and Deputy District Attorney Nicole Crosby garnered 31.3%. The third-place challenger is 20 percentage points back.

• Despite his first-place finish, Bailey, a former Republican running as an independent, has a tough climb in the general, as 61.1% of the votes counted so far went to Democrats.

🕰️ Councilmember Henry Foster III trails his upstart challenger. Martha Abraham leads by a slight but growing margin in Foster’s District 4 reelection bid.

• It’s hard not to remember eight years ago, when his old boss — now-County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe — shocked the city’s political echo chamber by posting a primary-night lead over a District 4 incumbent whom she went on to beat in November.

🏁 Antonio Martinez leads a tight race to replace Councilmember Vivian Moreno in District 8, with Gerardo Ramirez and Venus Molina coming in close behind him.

🪽 San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones won big in the race to represent North County on the Board of Supervisors. The race for second place, between Democrat Kyle Krahel and Republican John Franklin, is still very close.

READ MORE →

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Stories you should know about

🧮 Hilton, Becerra leading in most uncertain governor’s race in years: Billionaire Tom Steyer is in third place in a race that’s still too close to call.

🐻 Who’s winning California’s other statewide races? Here’s where everything stands — including San Diego Unified School District President Richard Barrera, who is currently in a position to advance in the race to be the next state superintendent.

⛏️ Retaining wall construction in Del Mar is taking longer than expected: Officials said the delays are due to utility coordination and challenging field conditions. Road closures are expected to continue into September, but they intend to avoid closures during the county fair.

🎶 Live Music this week: Paul Simon, Kings X, Sweet & Tender Hooligans, and San Diego’s Hip Hop leaders are performing across town.

⚠️ Opinion: The Garden Grove chemical tank crisis is a warning California can’t ignore.

Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.

Mid-Week News Quiz

Have you kept up with Times of San Diego this week? Let’s see!

🧐 How many times did SDPD deploy pepper spray in the Gaslamp District in 2024?

A) 118 times
B) 122 times
C) 178 times
D) 202 times

Reply first with the correct answer to earn a shoutout in tomorrow’s newsletter.