Southeast San Diego activist, nurse, and small business owner Martha Abraham has officially announced her campaign for San Diego City Council District 4, pledging to restore transparency, community accountability, and equity to a district she says has been “ignored for far too long.”
“My name is Martha Abraham. I’m running for San Diego City Council District 4 because I’ve seen enough,” said Abraham in a recent op-ed.
“Our streets are crumbling. Our families are being priced out. And those in power either don’t see us, or they’ve chosen not to.”
Abraham grew up in Emerald Hills after her family fled political unrest in East Africa in 1986. After receiving a bachelor’s in nursing from SDSU and then a Master’s in Science and Nursing from Grand Canyon University, she built her career in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
After establishing herself as a healthcare professional, Abraham opened up her first small business, a homecare agency that offers customized care for aging adults.
Using her health care background to inform her vision for District 4, Abraham said, “I know that prioritizing the health, wellness, and dignified living for every person in our community must come first.”
A familiar face in City Council chambers, Abraham emerged as a key advocate during recent debates over housing developments in Emerald Hills and Encanto. Her involvement began in 2021, when she and other residents noticed signs for new development projects in their neighborhoods and began asking questions. Their research uncovered “Footnote 7,” a discreet zone change that allowed for more housing development without community input.
Abraham joined forces with local planning groups and spent months combing through city documents to understand how and why the change had occurred. The advocacy effort helped lead to the repeal of the Footnote in April 2025.
“I’ve lived the frustration. I’ve held the pain of families struggling to stay afloat. As a nurse, I’ve cared for our most vulnerable. As a neighbor, I’ve watched this district be ignored while others thrive.”
As a result, her campaign builds on the years she spent organizing at the grassroots level—canvassing, advocating, and demanding that the community have a say in the future of their development.
“Housing is critical, but developing it without considering the profound impact on our health outcomes, educational attainment, and overall quality of life is a recipe for disaster,” said Abraham in a statement shared with Voice & Viewpoint.
Key issues Abraham says she will focus on include environmental justice, investing in green infrastructure, food and retail deserts, and healthcare access.
“This campaign is not about politics. It’s about our people. Our elders who deserve dignity. Our kids deserve an opportunity. Our community deserves investment, not just promises,” said Abraham.
For more on Abraham’s campaign, visit her website at: https://martha4sandiego.com/
The City of San Diego’s next regularly scheduled election will take place on June 2, 2026, and will be consolidated with the 2026 California Primary election. Other candidates who have filed to run include incumbent Councilmember Henry Foster, Tylisa Suseberry, and Roosevelt Williams.