Elliott leads in 40th State Senate district; two Republicans battling for second spot
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by Karen Pearlman | June 3, 2026 6:11 am
Map of newly redrawn 40th district
East County News Services
June 2, 2026 (San Diego County) — Early primary election returns show Democrat Mara Elliott with a strong lead in the race for California’s 40th State Senate District to take the spot of Santee native Brian W. Jones, a Republican who is termed out.
At the same time, two Republicans are battling for the second spot on the November ballot.
With 23.2 percent of the vote counted in San Diego County, Elliott, the former San Diego City Attorney, has 44.6 percent of the vote.
Kristie Bruce-Lane, a businesswoman and nonprofit leader backed by Carl DeMaio’s Reform San Diego, currently sits in second place with 29.93 percent. Closely behind is Ed Musgrove, a retired sheriff’s captain and current San Marcos City Councilmember, who secured the endorsement of the San Diego County Republican Party and holds 25.38 percent of the vote.
The 40th District is widely considered one of the state’s premier battlegrounds, with the open seat being vacated by Jones, the current state Senate Minority Leader.
Following the state’s 2021 redistricting cycle, the newly drawn boundaries created a sprawling “purple” district across San Diego County. The district features a nearly dead-even voter registration split, with 35 percent Democratic voters, 34 percent Republican voters and 24 percent with no party preference.
Geographically, the district covers a highly diverse blend of suburban hubs, mountain towns and northern San Diego neighborhoods, including Santee, Escondido, Poway and San Marcos; Rancho Bernardo, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Rancho Peñasquitos and University City; and the unincorporated communities of Alpine, Lakeside, Pine Valley, Fallbrook, Ramona, Valley Center and Bonsall.
While the district has historically leaned Republican, recent voting patterns show it trending Democrat.
Elliott (photo, right) campaigned on regulatory protections, specialized mental health treatment facilities and social support frameworks to address homelessness.
Bruce-Lane, a a twice-unsuccessful Assembly candidate aligned with DeMaio’s ultra-conservative stance, has championed strict border security, the repeal of California’s sanctuary state laws and an overhaul of housing-first homelessness policies.
Musgrove, drawing on his deep roots as an Army veteran, has run on a law enforcement platform, pushing for increased state funding for local police forces and prosecuting repeat violent offenders.
Desmond, Von Wilpert poised to runoff in battle for the 48th Congressional District
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by Miriam Raftery | June 3, 2026 5:09 am
By Henri Migala
June 2, 2026 (San Diego) — Early primary returns for California’s 48th Congressional District show Republican frontrunner Jim Desmond taking a significant early lead, with a crowded field of Democrats battling for a crucial second-place spot to advance to November. His likely opponent in the run-off is San Diego City Councilmember Marni Von Wilpert, a Democrat, who has opened a substantial lead over fellow Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar, a Naval reserve officer and educator who formerly worked in the Obama administration’s Labor Department. (more…)
Cohen, Nakawatase appear headed for run-off in County Treasurer/Tax Collector race
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by Karen Pearlman | June 3, 2026 4:57 am
By Miriam Raftery
June 2, 2026 (San Diego) — If San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson had won a bid for County Treasurer/Tax Collector, it would have created a vacancy on the County Board of Supervisors. But Anderson is currently in third place with 16.01 percent of the vote, trailing well behind Democrat Larry Cohen, who has 45.79 percent, and Shirley Nakawatase with 34.72 percent. Victor Roy has just 3.11 percent, with 22.8 percent of votes counted.
Both Nakawatase and Anderson are Republicans. Despite Anderson’s finance degree and decades of public service as a state legislator, Padre Dam Municipal Water Board District member and Supervisor, the county Republican Party endorsed Nakawatase, a certified public accountant with no governing experience but decades of tax preparation.
Hilton, Becerra secure strong leads in Governor’s race
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by Miriam Raftery | June 3, 2026 4:49 am
By Karen Pearlman
June 2, 2026 (San Diego) — With the polls closed for just over an hour in the California primary, early returns are painting the picture of a highly competitive, three-way shootout to succeed outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Because of California’s nonpartisan voting system, the entire 61-candidate field has been a scramble. Only the top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, will be on the November ballot. With approximately 51.8 percent of the expected statewide vote processed, the race is a razor-thin affair at the top, driven by heavy vote-by-mail numbers and early dynamic shifts in key battlegrounds like San Diego County.
As it stands, Republican Steve Hilton, a conservative political commentator, holds a narrow lead with 26.6 percent over a surging Democratic establishment favorite, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, who has 25.9 percent. (more…)
Evacuation warnings issued as Border 6 Fire spreads rapidly
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by Miriam Raftery | June 3, 2026 12:54 am
Update 10 p.m. — Red Cross is opening an overnight shelter for Border 6 Fire evacuees at the County of San Diego’s Spring Valley Community Center at 8735 Jamacha Blvd, Spring Valley,. Pets are welcome and will be supported. The Temporary Evacuation Point located at Regal Edwards Cinema parking lot is closed.
East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service
June 1, 2026 5:45 p.m. (Dulzura) — Evacuation warnings have been issued for Zones SDC-2544, SDC-2545, SDC-2605, SDC-2643, SDC-2644, & SDC-2645 due to the fast-growing #Border6Fire. View zones on the Genasys Evacuation Map[1] or at https://protect.genasys.com/location?z=12.10857788093667&latlon=32.60096898795872%2C-116.725705114027[2] .
Prepare to evacuate. People who need extra time or with animals should evacuate now to Steele Canyon High School[3]. If you feel you are in danger, go, says San Diego County Sheriff on X. (more…)
Updated 4:20 p.m. with latest acreage and details.
East County Wildfire and Emergency Alert Service
June 2, 2026 (Dulzura) — A wildfire called the #Border6Fire that began yesterday in Mexico has crossed the border into the United States. According to Cal Fire, it has now burned 200 acres on the U.S. side of the border in the vicinity of Marron Valley between Dulzura and Barrett Junction, with zero percent containment. The fire has also burned over 400 acres in Mexico. (more…)
Seven local novelists to read from their books on July 11
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by Karen Pearlman | June 2, 2026 9:58 pm
East County News Service
June 2, 2026 (San Diego County) — Crime fiction fans and those who love thriller-style tomes should book it over to the historic Kensington Club next month for the second installment of Noir at the Bar.
The event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 11 at the club at 4079 Adams Ave.
The event will feature seven acclaimed authors reading excerpts from their latest works.
Grossmont Union High School District to graduate 4,725 students in June
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by Karen Pearlman | June 2, 2026 1:24 am
East County News Service
June 1, 2026 (El Cajon) – This week, 4,725 students will graduate from the Grossmont Union High School District.
The matriculating students will be earning their high school diplomas on Wednesday, June 3 and Thursday, June 4, from the district’s nine comprehensive high schools, two independent charter schools, one middle college high school, one Project Based Learning school of choice and two special education academies.
Passages: Maggie Eggers, La Mesa Chamber of Commerce Chairman, 69
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by Karen Pearlman | June 2, 2026 1:05 am
By Karen Pearlman
June 1, 2026 (La Mesa) – East County has lost a big part of its community vibe with the passing of Margaret (Maggie) Eggers.
A devoted wife, stepmother, sister, aunt, colleague and friend who placed family and community at the center of her life, Eggers passed away on May 28, 2026, with her husband Robert (Bob) by her side.
Maggie Eggers shared 44 years of marriage with Bob, a partnership defined by deep friendship, loyalty and love, friends say.
Missing in Paris: Recipe for Murder (Kat Velvet Twist & Turn Thrillers Book 4)
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by Miriam Raftery | June 2, 2026 12:48 am
Novel by Emmeline August
Reviewed by Pennell Paugh
June 1, 2026 (San Diego) — San Diego mystery writer Emmeline August has written a fourth mystery. This time, the story is centered in Paris.
Cookbook author Katri Velvet goes to France to take a pastry class. She arrives to a world of murder and mystery that surrounds the kitchens of master chef, L’ecole Max. Kat befriends another student in her twenties, Geesen. (more…)
