Mary Salas was optimistic about winning the mayor's seat in Chula Vista. Photo by Chris Stone
Mary Salas was optimistic about winning the mayor’s seat in Chula Vista. Photo by Chris Stone

Updated at 1:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5

Familiar names to Chula Vista, Assemblywoman and City Council member Mary Salas and former City Council member John McCann, were elected as mayor and a city council member in elections for the county’s second-biggest city.

Chula Vista mayoral candidate Jerry Rindone spoke with TV crews at Golden Hall early in the returns. Photo by Chris Stone
Chula Vista mayoral candidate Jerry Rindone spoke with TV crews at Golden Hall early in the returns. Photo by Chris Stone

Salas won with 52.2 percent of the vote compared to 47.8 percent for educator and former City Council member Jerry Rindone.

“I feel good, I feel confident that I am going to win,” Salas said earlier. “I have a lot of support from the community, and I really have to thank them for their trust in me.”

Salas credits her ability to be able to reach out to many different areas of Chula Vista as helping her win the election.

“I really want to include all the new residents that have moved to Chula Vista, they have so much to offer this city,” Salas said. “We have to realize their talent, experience and fresh ideas.”

For council Seat No. 1, McCann won with 51.5 percent of the vote compared to former Mayor Steve Padilla‘s 48.5 percent.

Also on the ballot was Patricia Aguilar, who won 56.6 percent to Dan Smith’s 43.4 percent to clinch council Seat No. 2.