San Diego’s political landscape is heating up ahead of the April 8 special election for county supervisor, a race triggered by Supervisor Nora Vargas’s abrupt and mysterious resignation. Despite winning reelection in November, Vargas announced in December she would not take the oath of office, leaving her seat open.
The latest skirmish in this battle is a full-scale labor war, splitting unions and exposing a Democrat-on-Democrat showdown. The battle lines are drawn: SEIU Local 221 has thrown its weight behind Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre, while Laborers International Local 89 is standing firm with San Diego Councilmember Vivian Moreno. This isn’t just a contest of candidates — it’s a fracture in the Democratic coalition that could reshape the entire county’s future.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. District 1, which includes Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City and parts of San Diego, is a Democratic stronghold. In voter registration, Democrats outnumber Republicans by 24 percentage points. Yet with the special election looming, local Democratic Party unity is crumbling. Labor unions — typically the backbone of Democratic campaigns — are now at odds, exposing deep tensions over who gets to carry the progressive torch.
On one side, Aguirre touts her fight against the Tijuana sewage crisis, which most local elected officials blame on the failure of the Mexican and U.S. federal governments to fix broken infrastructure. Nevertheless, beaches in her city have remained closed for over 1,000 consecutive days during her tenure as mayor. The crisis — an environmental and public health disaster — has worsened exponentially over the last three years. Aguirre’s endorsement by SEIU Local 221, which represents thousands of county workers, underscores her appeal to the Democratic Party’s far-left wing. She has been a vocal activist, attending Black Lives Matter protests and traveling to Washington, D.C., where she was photographed wearing a “p—- hat” and holding an F-Trump, “P—– Libre” sign.
On the other side stands Moreno, backed by Laborers Local 89, a union tied to the construction industry. Moreno’s for development of apartments has won her allies in the labor union that represents construction workers. However, as a City Council member since 2018, she has been part of decisions that have led to San Diego facing a projected budget deficit of $258 million for the fiscal year.
This union split isn’t just a footnote — it’s a fault line. The race reflects a broader struggle: Do voters prioritize a social justice warrior like Aguirre or an establishment politician like Moreno?
Critics argue this division weakens Democrats at a critical moment — especially with Republican Chula Vista Mayor John McCann emerging as a strong dark horse candidate. A fractured left and union infighting could allow McCann to slip through in a low-turnout election, potentially flipping the Board of Supervisors’ balance of power. McCann, a Navy Reserve commander and Iraq War veteran, has won six elections over the past 20 years, from school board to City Council, and even pulled off a stunning upset to become mayor of Chula Vista — a heavily Democratic city.
With Chula Vista making up nearly 50% of District 1’s population (275,487 as of the 2020 Census), McCann’s strong name recognition, proven leadership in public safety and key role in bringing the $1 billion Gaylord Bayfront Resort project to revitalize the South Bay economy could give him a path to victory. Another factor? In Chula Vista, where 53.5% of ed voters are Latino, Donald Trump earned 41.7% of the vote compared to 33.5% four years prior.
But the real story here isn’t just electoral math — it’s a clash of visions. This election could flip the Board of Supervisors and, with it, the direction of San Diego County.
When Democrats took control of the Board of Supervisors under now-disgraced Nathan Fletcher, the county had a surplus.
Today, the board has become a stage for political theater — pushing resolutions that allow biological men to access women’s spaces and turning San Diego into a Super Sanctuary County, shielding even violent criminals from ICE.
Now, the county faces a $138.5 million deficit for fiscal year 2025-26, projected to balloon to $321.8 million by 2029-30. Instead of prioritizing fiscal responsibility, current Democratic Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer has floated the idea of raising taxes and making the cost of living go up.
As the April election nears, San Diegans should pay close attention to this race. It’s not just about who locks in union money or grassroots — it’s about the future direction of District 1 and its impact on the entire county. One thing is undeniable: The Democratic stronghold is fracturing, and the fallout could reshape South County politics for years to come. With momentum on his side, John McCann is well-positioned to claim his seventh electoral victory and become the next county supervisor.
Reichert is a community leader, government watchdog and chairwoman of Restore San Diego. Follow her at @AmyForSanDiego on X and Instagram.
