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Residents in San Diego County's District Four now have a Supervisor, with Monica Montgomery-Steppe securing the win with 61.6% of the votes over Republican Amy Reichert who finished with 38.4% in the November 2023 Special Election.

Montgomery-Steppe will fill the seat for the remainder of the current term ending in January 2027.

This win is also quite historic, as Montgomery-Steppe becomes the first black woman elected to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

"Words are not enough to thank you for showing up for our County," she said in a written statement. "It's been a long journey, and you have fought for the accountable, responsive Supervisor you deserve every step of the way."

A win for her also gives Democrats a 3-2 majority on the nonpartisan board.

However, only voters residing in the Fourth Supervisorial District were eligible to participate in the election.

District 4 includes the following areas: Alta Vista, Azalea Park, Balboa Park, Bankers Hill, Bay Park, Bay Terraces, Birdland, Broadway Heights, Casa de Oro - Mount Helix, Chollas Creek, Chollas View, City Heights, City of La Mesa, City of Lemon Grove, Civita, Clairemont Mesa, College Area, El Cerrito, Emerald Hills, Encanto, Hillcrest, Kensington-Talmadge, Lincoln Park, Linda Vista, Lomita Village, Mid-City, Middletown, Mission Hills, Mission Valley, Montezuma Mesa-SDSU, Morena, Normal Heights, North Bay Terraces, North Clairemont, North Park, Oak Park, Old Town, Paradise Hills, Portions of Grantville, Portions of Kearny Mesa, Portions of Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego, Rolando, Serra Mesa, Skyline, University Heights, Valencia Park, and Webster.

In the August 14 primary, Montgomery-Steppe won with a 41.7% of the vote. Reichert came in second with 28.8%. None received more than the 50% majority that was needed to win outright, prompting the special election to move to a runoff between Montgomery Steppe and Reichert, who were the top two vote-getters.

Safer California released a statement on Montgomery-Steppe's historic victory.

"Safer California PAC is thrilled to celebrate and congratulate Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe, a 2023 Safer California candidate, for her groundbreaking victory, making her the first Black woman ever elected to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. This historic achievement stands as a testament to her unwavering commitment to community well-being and comprehensive gun safety.

With a proven track record, Monica Montgomery -Steppe has consistently demonstrated her dedication to effective solutions for homelessness and the promotion of holistic, humane public safety measures. Her roots in Southeastern San Diego and her nickname on the San Diego City Council as "The People's Councilmember" highlight her strong community ties and her successful leadership style. Monica's remarkable achievements include securing substantial investments in underserved communities, advocating for police reform, protecting reproductive rights, and passing gun safety ordinances that make San Diego an example of how much you can reduce gun violence with strong holistic gun safety policies.

Safer California PAC looks forward to collaborating closely with Supervisor-elect Monica Montgomery Steppe as she continues to advance gun safety policies. Her victory represents a shining example of the potential for effective leadership when leaders genuinely represent their communities.

Safer California PAC is a California based Political Action Committee dedicated to supporting gun safety candidates across the state."

On the election, Reichert also released a statement thanking San Diego for their appreciation and support throughout this remarkable journey.

"To all the supporters, volunteers, donors, and dedicated individuals who poured their time and energy into our cause, your unwavering commitment has been humbling and profoundly inspiring. While the results may indicate that victory in this election remains unattainable, my resolve to enhance the prosperity of San Diego County remains resolute.

Entering this race with a clear vision for a brighter future for our community, I acknowledge that our current path has fallen short. However, this setback only amplifies my determination to contribute significantly to our betterment.

Looking ahead, my dedication to tirelessly work towards uplifting San Diego in every possible way remains unwavering. Together, we can pursue progress, unity, and positive change. Your incredible support and shared vision for a stronger, more prosperous San Diego County have been invaluable. My campaign was always about transcending partisan politics, and despite the odds, I'm immensely proud that we achieved nearly 40% of the vote, surpassing the expectations tied to our voter registration.

This campaign was never about partisanship but rather a dedication to serving our community. Despite facing a considerable financial disparity with $1.1 million in interest money against zero, the strides we've made in the face of the challenges have been monumental.

I am deeply grateful for the support and belief in our shared vision for a better San Diego. The journey continues, and together, we will strive to create a brighter future for all residents of this remarkable county."

This race was held to fill the spot on the board that was vacated by former Supervisor Nathan Fletcher after he was accused of sexual misconduct in his role as a chairman of the MTS board in a lawsuit.

Also on the ballot was the race to fill the vacant seat for Chula Vista City attorney for the remainder of the current term ending in December 2026. Only voters residing in the City of Chula Vista were eligible to participate.

The reason for the special election is because voters in the November 2022 race had selected a dead candidate. The winner of the race, Simon Silva, died of cancer before the election, but after his name could be removed from the ballots. However, the San Diego Democratic Party told voters to vote for him anyway.

Bart Mieseld had a narrow lead over Marco Verdugo by less than 300 votes, with Dan Smith Diaz running a distant third. Given the close margin, the race will go to a runoff.

The winner will become Chula Vista's top lawyer. They will lead an office that provides legal advice on a myriad of issues from the bayfront development to addressing the city's homeless situation.

Votes will continue to be counted in the coming weeks, with the San Diego County Registrar of Voters releasing periodic updates. The final vote will be certified on Dec. 7.

Voters also had the opportunity to vote on a ballot measure regarding the Fallbrook Public Utility District and Rainbow Municipal Water District, but again, only those residing in one of these districts were eligible. Voters voted yes for both.

The next election is a big one for the United States, as on March 5, 2024 is the Presidential Primary Election, and political parties decide who can vote for their presidential candidates.