Newcomer Martha Abraham took an early lead in the San Diego City District 4 council race when polls closed Tuesday night. She led incumbent Henry Foster III by about 1,500 votes, or 53.46% to 46. 54%, according to early results posted by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters.
Voice & Viewpoint obtained all the results at press time. We will continue to update our readers as more results come in from the Registrar of Voters.
The nurse who led efforts to cancel a controversial housing development in Southeast San Diego, is seeking to oust Foster III. In a similar fashion, his predecessor, Monica Montgomery Steppe, defeated then-incumbent Myrtle Cole in 2018.
Abraham and her supporters gathered at an election watch party in Logan Heights as the first results came in.
“I was really just honored that the community believed in me,” Abraham told Voice & Viewpoint. “It is still early [and], we’re still awaiting the final count.” She said she is “appreciative and grateful” to her supporters.
With less than 38 percent of the total ballots counted at press time, the District 4 council race is too early to call. But she’s in a good position as Foster III will need to win the remaining uncounted ballots with a clear margin in order to catch up.
For this election, Abraham was endorsed by San Diego Firefighters IAFF Local 145, and the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Healthcare Professionals while Foster III secured endorsements from the Municipal Employees Association (MEA) and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council.
Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins Holds Onto 79th District Seat
State Representative Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins, whose district represents parts of Southeastern San Diego and nearby areas such as Lemon Grove, retained her seat in the California State Assembly. She outclassed Republican Andrew Lawson with an outright 66.79%, as reported in early results by the county’s Registrar of Voters.
Dr. Sharpe-Collins replaced Akilah Weber Pierson in the assemblywoman’s seat when she won in the November 2024 general election. She served as Assistant Majority Leader for Policy and Research in the State Assembly, steering panels on cost of living and responses to federal aid cuts.
Other Results: Bush Trails in National City Mayoral Race, Lee Holds Onto District 6 Seat
Kent Lee, incumbent District 6 councilmember, took an indisputable lead over challenger Mark Powell, racking up almost 60% of the counted ballots to Powell’s less than 40%, as early county polls show. Lee, who represents communities including Kearny Mesa, Mira Mesa and University City, first took office in December 2022.
He centers his politics on housing affordability, homelessness solutions, local infrastructure improvement and regional transit.
In District 8, Antonio Martinez leads Gerardo Ramirez by at least 2,000 votes or 56.85% to 43.15%, according to early results by the county. Both Antonio and Ramirez are seeking to replace incumbent Vivian Moreno who termed out and didn’t run for re-election.
Marcus Bush, who is seeking to become the first-ever Black mayor of National City, was trailing considerably behind Jose Rodriguez, who leads 55.64% to Bush’s 31.76%. Both Bush and Rodriguez are Democrats and have served on the city council since 2020.
Public educator Joe Smith, who is running for Lemon Grove city council seat, is tied for 3rd in the race. Krystle Johnson leads the race with 34.15% while Smith is on 22.64%, more than 20 votes from catching up with second placed Seth Smith.
It’s the same fate for Deborah McLaren, who ran for Chula Vista Elementary School District Governing Board as a nonpartisan. She is 3rd in her race with 22.27% while Jessica Castillo Tolston leads with 55.36%.
San Diego County Democrats Win House Races, Adding to Democratic Party’s Push in Congress
Across the county, Democratic representatives secured wins to help the Democrats regain a majority in the House of Representatives. Incumbent Sarah Jacobs defeated Republican Ricardo Cabrera to retain the 51st District, winning over 63% of the ballots.
Democrat Scott Peters retained his 50th District with a resounding win over Republican Steve Cohen, winning by more than 25,000 votes. Democratic incumbent Juan Vargas also secured a thumping victory over Republican Jeff Belle for the 52nd District.
There were also victories for Marni von Wilpert who defeated Republican Jim Desmond in the 48th District race, and Mike Levin who retained his 49th District seat against Republican Armen Kudian.
