Nora Vargas was unanimously re-elected chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors by her colleagues Tuesday.
“As budgets tighten throughout the state, we must be diligent and smarter with our resources, prioritize the health and safety of our residents, and support local businesses so that they have an opportunity to thrive,” Vargas said as the board met for the first time this year. “The work ahead will not be easy, but with compassion, deliberate work, and collective spirit, we will once again move the county and our communities forward.”
Vargas is only the second person in recent decades to be chosen to lead the board for two consecutive terms. Typically, the position rotates annually; that changed during the pandemic, when Nathan Fletcher was named to the post two years in a row.
The board also unanimously agreed to make Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer vice chair and Supervisor Joel Anderson chair pro tem.
The chair acts as the official voice for the board and presides over its meetings. The vice chair has full authority to act if the chair is absent or unable to act, while the chair pro tem has full authority if both the chair and vice chair are absent or unable to act.
Vargas was the first Latina elected to the board in 2020 and first Latina selected as board chair last year. Though they don’t always agree with her, all of the supervisors applauded Vargas for her leadership.
“I really appreciate that you’ve taken consideration of all our constituents — not just your district, but all of our districts — through your leadership,” Anderson said.
This story will be updated.
