Today’s newsletter is presented by Port of San Diego Waterfront of Opportunity.
Good morning, San Diego ☀️
Here’s what we have for you today:
- I hope you read this already. If not, pioneering San Diego punk rock star and early Eddie Vedder collaborator Gary Heffern died last weekend, just days after he was inducted into the San Diego Music Hall of Fame. Our contributor Peter Blackstock knew him well, and wrote a beautiful tribute to his dear friend.
- Do you like to walk? Me too. Here’s everything within a half hour of your house.
Andrew Keatts
General manager and editor
Top story
As Democrats eye House control, Sara Jacobs eyes key party leadership role
San Diego Rep. Sara Jacobs is making her move for Democratic Party leadership.
As Democrats seek control of Congress in next month’s midterm elections, the 37-year old representative announced in a “Dear Colleagues” letter in August she was angling for the vice chair role for the Democratic caucus, as our D.C.-based reporter Alysa Horton reports in her latest story.
“Building the Caucus we need will not happen on its own,” she wrote. “It will require all of us to keep doing the hard, important work we have long been committed to – in every corner of our Caucus – listening to one another, working through differences, and seeking solutions together.”
Jacobs has a lot going for her in her bid for party leadership. She’s young and in a safe seat, both benefits as she aims to ascend in the party hierarchy. Jacobs has already won seats on the influential House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees. And her personal wealth — her grandfather is Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs — means she’s unlikely to need party support for future reelection bids.
Regardless of how November’s election turns out, Jacobs — who declined comment to Times of San Diego — is looking to climb her party’s ranks.
“She is destined for a senior leadership position,” said Carl Luna, political science professor at University of San Diego.
Right now, she’s facing off against Illinois Rep. Lauren Underwood for caucus vice chair.
Where Jacobs has spent her time in Congress focused on foreign policy, defense and human rights, Underwood, a registered nurse, has instead focused on public and maternal health and natural disasters.
What’s unclear is whether it will work to Jacobs’ benefit or detriment that three of the last four Democratic Party vice chairs have been from California.
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
Stories you should know about
⚡️ ‘Monstrosity,’ ‘trash,’ ‘irreversible harm,’ — elected officials call for pause on “mega” data center: While city and state officials made a public show of opposition to Manchester Financial Group’s consideration of a data center in Point Loma, they have no legal way to stop its potential development because the site is federal land.
🎃 Halloween happenings in Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, and La Jolla: Get in on the Halloween fun before it’s over. The Birch Aquarium has Halloween Aglow which includes underwater pumpkin carving. Howl-O-Scream and Spooktacular are back at SeaWorld this year and Trunk-or-Treat is bringing classic cars to Belmont Park.
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
What to do this weekend
Need weekend plans? We’ve got you. ⭐ = free
🎨 Art After Dark, Oceanside Museum of Art (Today, 7 p.m.–11 p.m.)
🛍️ Creatures of the Night Market, Bonita Museum (Today, 5 p.m.–9 p.m.) ⭐️
♻️ Beautify Chula Vista (Today, 8 a.m.–12 p.m.) ⭐️
🏃 Binational Race 2026 (Sunday, starts at 6:50 a.m.)
🎶 Gather on Grand Escondido Street Festival (Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.) ⭐️