The results from this week’s special San Diego County supervisor election have sent shockwaves through the political establishment. With the Republican candidate garnering 43% of the vote in a district that is only 22% Republican, it’s clear that something significant is happening in California. This isn’t just a fluke—Republicans turned out in droves, outperforming their voter registration by 10 percentage points. Meanwhile, Democratic candidates, despite their stronghold in the state, failed to ignite the same enthusiasm among their base.
One of the most striking outcomes of the election came from Imperial Beach, where the city’s own mayor, Paloma Aguirre, failed to secure even 50% of the vote in her bid for supervisor. Early results show Aguirre with 1,431 votes, just a slim lead over Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, who tallied 1,295 votes. But the real story here is McCann’s strength in his own city, where he took over 50% of the vote and dominated the majority of precincts.
For Aguirre, this is a humbling reminder that local issues matter and political machines can only carry you so far. In a race that many assumed would be a safe win for a Democrat, it’s clear that Republican candidates—whether in traditionally red or blue areas—are resonating with voters. The Democratic establishment may want to dismiss this as an anomaly, but the numbers don’t lie.
The biggest losers of the night, however, were the labor unions backing Vivian Moreno. Despite spending nearly $700,000 on her campaign, their investment didn’t pay off—and they squandered hundreds of thousands of dollars from hard-working laborers in a bitter political contest. Even with the largest financial backing, Moreno only managed to secure 13% of the vote, a clear rejection from voters who are fed up with the same old political games. The failure of union-backed candidates in this race highlights a growing sentiment among the electorate: voters want change, and they’re looking for candidates who represent their values, not the interests of special interest groups.
This election wasn’t just about who won or lost—it’s about the growing disconnect between the political establishment and the people. It’s a warning to both Democrats and Republicans that voters are fed up with career politicians who serve more the interests of the powerful than the people they are meant to represent. The energy in this race came from ordinary voters, many of whom feel that their voices have been drowned out by corporate donations, union influence, and political machines.
For Republicans, this race offers a glimmer of hope. It demonstrates that even in deep-blue California, issues like public safety, the economy, out-of-control spending on homelessness while the crisis gets worse, and the ongoing Tijuana sewage crisis resonate with voters. The challenge now is to continue building on this momentum, showing voters that Republicans are focused on the real problems facing our communities and offering solutions that matter. The pendulum is swinging back. The people have spoken, and they want real, meaningful change. The general election is scheduled for July 1, and many hope this will be an Independence Day from California politics as usual.
Reichert is a community leader, government watchdog and chairwoman of Restore San Diego. Follow her at @AmyForSanDiego on X and Instagram.
