1-minute voter guide: What's at play in Chula Vista
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Chula Vista voters will weigh two council elections and whether to extend a sales tax. Photo: Zoë Meyers / AFP/Getty Images
The second largest city in San Diego County is choosing two new council members this year, and will decide whether to extend a sales tax for city services.
Why it matters: Chula Vista is home to over 250,000 people, one of the 20 largest cities in California, and city officials there have regularly moved on to higher offices.
State of play: The city's District 4 race is for the seat former Councilmember Andrea Cardenas resigned from earlier this year while facing felony charges for fraud — which she received probation and community service for, but avoided jail time.
- Cesar Fernandez, a Chula Vista Elementary School District board member, has endorsements from the county Democratic Party and Labor Council, plus former Mayor Mary Salas and state Sen. Steve Padilla.
- He's facing Rudy Ramirez, a former Chula Vista councilmember and businessman who has endorsed the controversial Sunbreak Ranch proposal to address homelessness.
The open District 3 seat pits two Democrats against each other who have each collected significant endorsements from party leaders.
- Michael Inzunza, a Chula Vista charter review commissioner, has the endorsements of the county Democratic Party and labor council, plus Padilla, gubernatorial candidate Toni Atkins and U.S. Rep. Juan Vargas.
- Leticia Munguia, an HR manager for the University of California and former union official, has endorsements from County Supervisor Nora Vargas, the regional Planned Parenthood, and Chula Vista Vice Mayor Jose Preciado.
- Munguia ran unsuccessfully against Assemblymember Akilah Weber in a 2021 special election. Weber has endorsed Inzunza.
By the numbers: In 2016, Chula Vista voters approved a half-cent sales tax increase that was set to expire in 2027.
- Measure P would preemptively extend that tax for another 10 years, without increasing the current rate, allowing the city to continue collecting an estimated $37 million a year for parks, infrastructure and road maintenance.
Go deeper: See our full voter guide for the 2024 election here.