Election 2024 is in the books and, though the nation as a whole had a more reddish cast politically this year, San Diego didn’t, as Democratic incumbents rode the “blue wave” locally to winning results in most races.
Donald Trump won nationwide but was far behind Kamala Harris in San Diego. Todd Gloria, San Diego’s Democratic mayor, prevailed over his novice opponent, independent Larry Turner. Tara Lawson-Remer held serve in her District 3 Supervisor seat outdistancing former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.
Following is a roundup of comments for/about San Diego political candidates in this year’s Nov. 5 election:
“Thank you to the voters for your faith and trust. I look forward to delivering on the mandate you are giving me to shake up our state’s broken political system and demand action to fix the problems that are causing so many to flee California.” – Carl DeMaio, who scored a decisive win in the 75th Assembly race.
“Last night, with clear intent, bright hope, and in numbers too large and too widespread to dismiss, the American people voted for a fresh start, a new direction, and a nation as great as ever. One of the signature reasons why President Trump was re-elected was a vote of confidence by more than 70 million fellow citizens that he will steer the nation away from four years of failure and chart a new and better course of opportunity for all Americans. In that mission, he will need partners as determined as he is. America has been through a lot over the last four years, and we have the chance to show our best and deliver a rebuilt economy, a restored national defense, and a real border that protects the homeland.” – Republican Darrell Issa who was reelected to California’s 48th Congressional District.
“I am honored to have been re-elected by San Diego County voters on Tuesday, and I am committed to defending the best interests of all the people of San Diego County from any potential threats that may arise from a second Trump presidency. We must rise above divisiveness or despair, and recommit ourselves to fighting for our shared values of fairness, opportunity, democracy, and the rule of law. I am grateful for everyone who supported me in this election, and I invite those who did not to join me in working together over these next four years to make our county better for every single resident.” –Supervisor Lawson-Remer who prevailed by a wide margin against Republican challenger and former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.
“The election results are beyond devastating. This is a painful and difficult moment for everyone who cherishes the freedom to be authentically yourself, for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community, for those of us who hold multiple identities, and for everyone who cares about us. Anti-equality candidates repeatedly lied about transgender people and children, stirring up hatred with millions of dollars in false and misleading anti-trans ads. I am extremely concerned that a person so intent on dehumanizing our community in this way will again be in our nation’s highest office.” – Fran Hutchins, executive director of Equality Federation, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization.
The latest unofficial ballot count shows that the voters are definitively agreeing with at least 9 of 11 sales or parcel tax recommendations made by the San Diego County Taxpayers Association. “Measure E, the City’s 1 cent unrestricted sales tax, is still too close to call. It says something that Measure E is this close, despite how much money was put into the support campaign. Taxpayers are thinking twice before trusting that the City will do the right thing with their dollars. With how expensive it is to live in California, the voters seem willing to chip in so long as they believe their local government will run well and deliver.” – Haney Hong, president and CEO of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association.
ELECTION RESULTS
Voter Turnout: 49.2%
Ballots Counted 975,373
Mail Ballots 787,702
Vote Center Ballots 187,671
Registered Voters 1,983,767
President/Vice President
Harris/Walz 55.66%
Trump/Vance 41.96%
San Diego Mayor
Todd Gloria 198,743 59%
Larry Turner 165,320 41%
Prop. 3 Right To Marriage Constitutional Amendment
Yes 64.18%
No 35.82%
Prop. 36 Allows Felony Charges and Increases Sentences For Certain Crimes
Yes 67.48%
No 32.52%
Measure E to raise the city’s sales tax by 1% starting April 1, 2025, to fund $400 million for infrastructure needs/majority for passage
No 50.72%
Yes 49.28%
