Ammar Campa-Najjar has picked up endorsements from three of his primary challengers ahead of the general election runoff with City Councilman John McCann for mayor of Chula Vista.
The endorsements came from Councilwoman Jill Galvez, former Councilman Rudy Ramirez and retired Army Major Spencer Cash.
“I am honored to have the support of my primary election colleagues ahead of November,” said Campa-Najjar on Thursday. “As a third-generation Chula Vistan, I am proud to be the Democratic nominee.”
The race is officially non-partisan, but McCann, an Iraq War veteran and small business owner, is a Republican.
It’s a high-profile contest because Campa-Najjar, a former Obama administration official, is nationally known for challenging former Rep. Duncan Hunter in 2018 and Rep. Darrell Issa in 2020.
Galvez, who came in third in the primary, said she would “strongly encourage my supporters, constituents, friends and neighbors to vote for the only ethical choice this election, Ammar Campa-Najjar.”
Ramirez said that “as a Latino and lifelong Chula Vistan, I see the potential Ammar possesses as the first Latino-Arab American elected in the country and as a young leader who can inspire our youth.”
Cash described Campa-Najjar as “a pragmatic visionary leader who listens, understands, and will create sustainable efforts for the betterment of the city.”
In the June primary, McCann led Campa-Najjar by a margin of 31% to 23% with Galvez garnering 20%