Former Chula Visa City Councilwoman Andrea Cardenas remains in the running in a too-close-to-call Chula Vista City Council District 4 election despite vacating her seat least month, according to early primary results.
Cesar Fernandez, a teacher and school trustee, currently leads that race with 22.3% of the vote. Rudy Ramirez, a businessman, is in second with 20.1% and Cardenas is right behind with 18.4% of the vote. Following the top three are Christine Brady, educator, engineer and CEO, with 17.0% and business owner Delfina Gonzalez with 16.9%. Rounding out the race are José Sarmiento, bank manager, with 5.2% and finally write-in candidate Leticia Lares with a handful of votes.
The top-two vote getters will advance to November’s general election.
Chula Vista’s City Council District 4 seat has been unoccupied since Cardenas resigned the seat last month.
“In an effort to prioritize my mental health, and the health of my community, I have made the very difficult choice to formally resign effective immediately from my position as Councilmember for our City’s 4th District,” she wrote at the time. “It has been an honor and privilege to serve my community and work alongside all of you.”
The remaining council members declared her seat officially vacant on Feb. 26.
However, Cardenas — who, along with her brother Jesus pleaded guilty to two felony counts of grand theft last week for fraudulently obtaining a COVID-relief loan for their political consulting business and using the money for personal expenses, and for unlawfully obtaining state unemployment benefits — remained on the ballot, although was not actively campaigning.
Cardenas is expected to receive a sentence of probation, with the chance to have the charges reduced to misdemeanors. If convicted of a felony, she would be ineligible to serve on the council, but if the charges are reduced to misdemeanors, there would be nothing to prevent her from returning to the council if elected.
As part of the siblings’ pleas, six other felony counts of conspiracy, money laundering and failing to file tax returns will be dismissed. They will also be required to pay restitution.
The pair were initially charged last year, with prosecutors saying they fraudulently obtained a $176,227 Paycheck Protection Program loan in early 2021 intended for their firm, Grassroots Resources, then used the funds on personal expenses, including a $33,500 check to Andrea Cardenas’ Chula Vista City Council campaign account.
Chula Vista City Council District 3, covering the southeastern quadrant of the city, is represented by Alonso Gonzalez, who is termed out.
City commissioner Michael Inzunza took a commanding lead in early results for District 3, pulling in 49.1% of the vote. Leticia Munguia, nonprofit director, and Daniel D. Rice-Vazquez, businessman, were competing for second place with 16.4% and 15.5% of the vote, respectively.
The city attorney race is a runoff to fill the remainder of a term ending December 2026 — after Simon Silva won the 2022 election despite dying before Election Day, and officials were unable to remove his name from the ballot.
Chula Vista’s city attorney position, like the mayor, is a citywide race.
Marco Verdugo, deputy city attorney, holds a 57.8% to 42.25% lead over Bart Miesfield, a retired municipal attorney.
Updated at 2:11 p.m., Wednesday, March 6, 2024
City News Service contributed to this report.