By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left, via candidates' websites:  John McCann, left, and Paloma Aguirre, right

July 1, 2025 (San Diego) – In a special election that will determine the balance of power on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre leads with 53.22% of the vote over Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, who has 36.78%, according to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters

Aguirre, a Democrat, has 37,324 votes while McCann, a Republican, has 32,805, a lead of 4,518 votes. Another 9,500 ballots remain to be counted, with the next update from the Registrar due by 6 p.m. this evening. The winner is expected to take office by the end of this month as the new District 1 Supervisor.

Though the race is officially nonpartisan, the board currently has a 2-2 split following the resignation of Nora Vargas.  If Aguirre’s lead holds, Democrats will retake the majority, which could sway policy decisions on key issues.

An Aguirre win will also bring back a Latina voice on the board of Supervisors in an era when immigration issues have brought heightened tensions to the region, as well as providing a voice calling for cleanup of severe pollution that has forced long-term beach closure and serious air pollution health threats to Imperial Beach residents.

Aguirre released a statement declaring victory, though McCann has not yet conceded.