The abrupt announcement by Nora Vargas that she would not serve her second term on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors has quickly garnered interest from several hopefuls. Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre on Monday was the latest to announce her bid.
“South County has been ignored for too long – and I’m ready to change that,” she said on her campaign website.
In a campaign email, Aguirre announced that one of her priorities would be to step up efforts to stop the cross-border flows of sewage and toxic chemicals that have polluted her small, coast community for decades. She and many in her community have repeatedly criticized the county and Vargas for what they argue to be a delayed response and insufficient aid for communities affected by the pollution. Those sentiments solidified in October when the Imperial Beach Democratic Club, of which Aguirre served as president, rescinded its endorsement of Vargas.
“I’ve gotten results on the sewage crisis by standing up to the status quo, not going with the flow.,” Aguirre said in a statement. “As Supervisor, I’ll bring that same willingness to challenge politics as usual to fight for South County’s families and future.”
She said her other priorities include housing, public safety and pushing for a larger share of county funding for South County.
On Dec. 20, when Vargas made her announcement, Chula Vista Mayor John McCann said he was “definitely considering running” if supervisors choose to hold a special election.
Days later, San Diego City Councilmember Vivian Moreno announced that she, too, would run.
“For over 15 years, I have diligently served the residents of the South Bay and City Council District 8,” she said in a statement posted on social media. “Together, we have fought to make the South Bay greener, safer, and more vibrant — creating cleaner neighborhoods, strengthening local communities, and investing in our future. But our work is far from done. By standing alongside those who fight for a better future for the South Bay, I am confident that we will create the South Bay that we all deserve.”
The county Board of Supervisors must decide whether to fill Vargas’ District 1 seat via appointment or special election. A discussion on the matter is expected at their next scheduled meeting on Jan. 7.
Should any of the three officials who have raised their hand be appointed or elected, their departures would leave vacancies on their respective councils, leaving their colleagues to decide how to replace them. All three were elected to their four-year posts in 2022.
Vargas won her re-election for a second, four-year term in November but announced that she would only finish her current term “due to personal safety and security reasons.” She and her office have declined to comment further.
District 1, with a population of more than 630,000 residents, includes Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City, several south San Diego neighborhoods and five unincorporated communities, such as Bonita and Lincoln Acres.
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