Councilman John McCann — one of many few Republican vivid spots Tuesday in San Diego County — held a snug lead over Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar of their race for Chula Vista mayor.
McCann led 55.2% to 44.8% early Wednesday however wasn’t close to declaring victory in a bruising marketing campaign to succeed termed-out Mayor Mary Casillas Salas.
He didn’t suppose the vote could be solidified for “most likely per week,” however mentioned he was cautiously optimistic.
McCann raised doubts about Campa-Najjar’s residency (which he has rejected) and a Democrat accused McCann of violating marketing campaign finance reporting guidelines (which the FPPC didn’t pursue).
The race is formally nonpartisan, however each events put assets into the campaigns.
In an election that noticed Democrats sweep all 9 seats on the San Diego Metropolis Council, McCann downplayed his GOP affiliation.
“You realize, my focus is all the time about serving the folks and discovering options,” he mentioned a half-hour after midnight.
“A pothole doesn’t have a celebration registration. We simply must make it possible for we fill it and preserve our roads so all people can can drive on the street. There is no such thing as a political affiliation and sustaining our infrastructure.”
He mentioned he seemed ahead to counsel from outgoing Mayor Salas, a Democrat, in main the county’s second-largest metropolis, “pushing 300,000.”
“We labored efficiently collectively [on issues] just like the Bayfront, the [South Bay] college and I might be very appreciative of getting her recommendation so I can proceed to assist.”
He mentioned he all the time labored properly together with his council colleagues, even combining with Democrats for a 3-2 vote to affix San Diego Neighborhood Energy “to have the ability to give our residents a substitute for San Diego Gasoline & Electrical.”
“My solely precedence actually is to do what’s finest for the town of Chula Vista,” the 54-year-old Eastlake resident mentioned in a telephone interview. “And I’m very pragmatic in that matter.”
Campa-Najjar — who didn’t reply to requests for an interview — served in numerous roles inside President Barack Obama’s administration, together with a public relations place within the Employment & Coaching Administration.
He unsuccessfully ran for Congress in East County, as soon as in 2018 in opposition to Rep. Duncan Hunter and once more in 2020 in opposition to present Rep. Darrell Issa.
“A brand new day is dawning in Chula Vista,” he mentioned earlier than the election. “As a third-generation Chula Vistan, Obama Administration official and small enterprise proprietor, I’m providing new management for a metropolis on the verge of recent potentialities as we hopefully transition right into a post-pandemic economic system.”
Metropolis Information Service contributed to this report.
Up to date at 3:08 a.m. Nov. 9, 2022
