Rest of the election field set
State, school board and federal races shape up; several school bond measures on the ballot as the election draws near
COUNTY — The ballot is all but set for the November election.
Also on the ballot are races for state and school board positions, along with several school bond and tax measures. The measures include a transient occupancy tax and City Council compensation measure in Del Mar, amending Proposition H in Carlsbad and school bond measures in Bonsall, Encinitas Union School District, Fallbrook Union School District, San Marcos Unified School District and the Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District.
The state races, meanwhile, feature a rematch from 2022 election, along with several other races expecting to be competitive and a heavy favorite in District 77.
Registered voters will receive mail-in ballots after Oct. 6 and Election Day is Nov. 5. Voting centers and drop boxes will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Nov. 5.
State races
North County voters will decide several State Assembly races, which cover the 74th, 75th, 76th and 77th districts.
In the 74th, voters in San Diego and Orange counties get a rematch between Republican Assemblywoman Laurie Davies and Democrat Chris Duncan, who is the mayor of San Clemente. Davies won the 2022 matchup, 53-47.
The 74th District covers parts of south Orange County, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside and Vista.
In the 75th District, two Republicans will battle it out as Carl DeMaio faces Andrew Hayes. The seat is currently held by Marie Waldron (R-Escondido) who is termed out.
The district covers Fallbrook, Valley Center, Poway, Lakeside, south to the border and east to the San Diego and Imperial counties border.
In the 76th District, Republican Kristie Bruce-Lane faces Democrat Darshana Patel for the seat currently held by Democrat Assemblyman Brian Maienschein, who is termed out and running for city attorney in the city of San Diego. Bruce-Lane lost to Maienschein in 2022 by a 52-48 margin.
The district runs from north of San Marcos and south to Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, Fairbanks Rancho Peñasquitos and parts of Carmel Valley.
The 77th District features Democrat incumbent Tasha Boerner against Republican James Browne. In 2022, Boerner beat Dan Downey 60-40 to win her third term. The district runs from Carlsbad south along the coastline to Coronado.
School board
The Cardiff School District features three candidates for two positions on the board. Voters can select two of the candidates and those include incumbents Nancy Orr and Rhea Stewart and challenger Richard Brocchini.
The Carlsbad Unified School District has two open seats in areas 2 and 3. In Area 2, Jen Belnap faces Alison Emery, while A3 features Laura Siaosi agasint Ejehan Turker.
The Del Mar Union School District has two races up for November. In one race, voters can select two of the following: incumbent Gee Wah Mok and candidates Helen Doyle, Darren Gretler, Bill Porter and Danielle Roybal. In the other race, which is for a “short term” Alan Kholos, who was appointed in 2023, faces Genevieve Goldstone. There are two years left on the term after Trustee Scott Wooden resigned after being arrested in Florida for soliciting a sex worker, according to The Coast News.
The Encinitas Union School District has two seats up with three candidates seeking the positions. Those voters can select two candidates, and they include incumbent Marlon Taylor and challengers Jillian Cocayne and Monica Lee. There is also a “short term” election between Tom Morton, who was appointed, and Aimee Sproul.
The Escondido Union High School District has two seats up in areas 3 and 4. In Area 3, incumbent Christi Knight faces Clay Brown, while Area 4 has incumbent Ryan Williams against Dara Czerwonka.
The Escondido Union District has two seats up with incumbent Doug Paulson unopposed in Area 1 and incumbent Mark Olson facing Juan Vargas in Area 3.
In Oceanside, two seats are up for the school district. In Area 2, incumbent Eleanor Evans faces Emily Eichmann, in Area 5 has incumbent Mike Blessing against Rosie Higuera.
The San Dieguito Union High School District has two seats open. In Area 2, incumbent Jodie Williams takes on Kelly Friis and in Area 4, incumbent Mike Allman faces challenger Kevin Sabellico.
San Marcos Unified features three races in areas A, B and D. In Area A, incumbent Carlos Ulloa faces Heidi Herrick, Area B has incumbent Sarah Ahmad against Brittany Bower and Area D has incumbent Jaime Chamberlin against Lena Meum.
In Solana Beach, three seats are up and include incumbents Dana King, Katie Suel and Tanya Koshy running unopposed in areas 2, 3 and 5, respectively.
Vista Unified also has three seats up in November. In Area 1, Mike Markov and Amanda Remmen face off, Area 4 features incumbent Cipriano Vargas against challengers Zulema Gomez and Frank Nunez, while Area 5 is between Anthony Crossman and Sue Martin.
Federal races
Three of the five congressional races cover parts of North County and those include the 48th, 49th and 50th.
In the 48th District, incumbent Republican Darrell Issa faces Democrat Stephen Houlahan; in the 49th, incumbent Mike Levin takes on Republican challenger Matt Gunderson and Democrat incumbent Scott Peters faces Republican Peter Bono in the 50th.
Ballot measures
Carlsbad
Proposition B asks voters to amend Prop. H in Carlsbad. The measure calls for increasing the expenditure limit for using city funds to acquire or improve real property from $1 million (the limit established by voters in 1982) to $3.09 million (the 1982 limit in today’s dollars).
It will also adjust the limit annually on Jan. 1 by the percentage increase in the regional construction cost index and exempt public safety facilities from any Prop B/H vote in the future. For example, voters approved Measure O in 2016 to construct a new Fire Station No. 2, which cost about $14 million. Voters also approved Measure J in 2022 to allocate between $22 million and $24 million to renovate the Monroe Street Pool.
Del Mar
Measure A asks voters to amend the city code to comply with the City Council compensation formula under state law to “ensure the salary of Councilmembers is set and strictly limited by State law, commencing at $950/month.” If approved, the measure authorizes the salary of Councilmembers to be adjusted within the limits of state law by ordinance considered publicly during at least two City Council meetings.
Measure M calls for a 13% transient occupancy tax (hotel tax) on short-term rentals. City staff projects an annual revenue stream of about $775,000. Property owners must also obtain a permit to operate, which regulates the STR to be rented for no more than 30 days, among other considerations. The ordinance would also limit STRs in residential zones and in apartments and condos, per city staff.
School bonds
In Bonsall, the district is asking voters through Measure V for a four-cent levy per $100,000 assessed value of a home or residence to collect $3.8 million per year for a total of $59 million over the lifespan of the bond. The money would be used to upgrade classrooms, labs, facilities, and equipment; improve school safety and security systems, fix deteriorating roofs, plumbing, and electrical systems; and add classrooms and facilities to prevent overcrowding.
The Encinitas Union School District’s Measure Z calls for authorizing $158.3 million of bonds generating an estimated average of $9.2 million annually while bonds are outstanding at a rate of approximately $19 per $100,000 assessed value, with annual audits, an independent citizens’ oversight and no money for salaries, according to the measure.
The money would be used to replace leaky roofs; upgrade infrastructure including plumbing, sewer, and HVAC; improve safety and security; and construct, renovate and modernize classrooms, restrooms and school facilities, according to the ballot measure.
The Fallbrook Union High School District is asking voters to approve a $56 million bond, Measure BB, at $24 per $100,000 to update local high school facilities; repair, construct, and improve classrooms, science labs, instructional technology, career training and school facilities; replace aging roofs, plumbing, electrical systems; and improve safety access.
San Marcos Unified has placed Measure JJ on the ballot asking for a $324 million school bond at four cents per $100,000 assessed to collect an estimated $20 million per year. The funds would be used to repair and upgrade older schools, remove asbestos, lead pipes, mold; fix deteriorating roofs, plumbing, sewer, and electrical; support college and career readiness in math, science, engineering, technology, arts, and skilled trades; modernize classrooms, science labs, school facilities, and technology.
The Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District is asking voters to approve an $84.6 million bond, Measure SS, with levies below $54 per $100,000. The money would expand career and technical education training facilities; renovate and modernize science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) classrooms and labs; and improve safety and security.
Note: According to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, all school bonds need 55% or more of the vote to pass. The tax and other measures the cities require a majority (50% plus one vote) of the vote to be approved.