2-minute voter guide: Oceanside's 2024 ballot
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The top two officials in San Diego County's third largest city are running against each other for mayor, and voters will decide whether to extend a 5-year-old sales tax for city services.
State of play: Mayor Esther Sanchez, a Democrat and the city's first woman and Latina mayor, is running for re-election in a city where housing costs, homelessness and beach erosion are top concerns.
- Ryan Keim, a Republican and the city's deputy mayor, is running against her.
Zoom in: Keim, a former police officer, told the Union-Tribune the city needs to provide services to homeless people who accept them, but should otherwise treat homelessness as a public safety issue.
- Sanchez said the city's nearly $15 million per year homelessness spending should be redirected to longer shelter stays and more transitional or permanent housing.
Follow the money: Oceanside is one of nine cities in the county with a tax measure on its ballot.
- Measure X would extend the city's half-cent sales tax, which was set to expire in 2026, for 10 additional years.
- Opponents argue the measure costs households hundreds of dollars a year and — because it is for general services — is not required to go to roads, police, and homelessness, as its supporters say.
- Its supporters say the tax has so far resulted in 560 miles of repaved streets, improved parks and beaches, built a new fire station and will continue to go to core city functions.
Between the lines: Zeb Navarro, the city clerk, is running unopposed for re-election, and Victor Roy, the city's treasurer, is running against two challengers.
- Jack Fernandes has worked as a treasurer for biotech firms
- Phyllis Dominguez is a former investor relations manager who the Democratic Party endorsed.
In city council District 3, four candidates are running for Keim's current seat.
- Laura Bassett is a real estate broker and daughter of a former council member endorsed by the Republican Party.
- Tom DeMooy is a community volunteer.
- Jimmy Figueroa is a nonprofit executive endorsed by the Democratic Party.
- Austin Sorensen is a banker for small businesses.
Peter Weiss, the council member in District 4, is running for re-election with GOP backing against two challengers.
- Amber Kae Niuatoa, a teacher at MiraCosta College, has the Democratic Party endorsement.
- Omar Hashimi is an army officer and entrepreneur.