San Diego County's District 5 supervisor seat could flip blue
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Kyle Krahel and Rebecca Jones. Photos: Courtesy of campaigns
One of the biggest local races next month is for San Diego County Board of Supervisors District 5, which could flip the district from red to blue.
The big picture: North County voters will choose between San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones, a Republican, and small business owner Kyle Krahel, a Democrat.
- The winner will replace termed-out Supervisor Jim Desmond, who is running for Congress.
- Axios asked both candidates about local issues; read on for their thoughts.
This interview has been edited for length.
Axios: What would you do about housing and affordability?
Jones: I'd focus on results, not rhetoric. It's about prioritizing the right project for the right location.
- While others debate, in San Marcos we negotiate hard with developers to deliver more affordable units, better designs and real amenities that serve families.
Krahel: The county has direct land use authority over unincorporated areas, and I will use it.
- I will push to cut permitting timelines, eliminate duplicative environmental reviews and expand by-right approval for housing projects that are already consistent with existing plans.
- I will prioritize workforce housing near jobs and transit so that teachers, first responders and working families can afford to live where they work.
What would you change about the county's approach to homelessness?
Jones: Ensuring every dollar delivers measurable results by holding programs accountable for outcomes, not just activity. Wraparound services are important, but we need to pursue programs with demonstrated success.
Krahel: We need more shelter beds, more mental health and addiction treatment capacity and more accountability, all at the same time.
- The county's biggest gap right now is behavioral health capacity. Without enough treatment slots, people cycle through the system without ever getting the help they need. Compassion and accountability are not in conflict, and I will not choose one over the other.
How do you differ from your opponent?
Jones: The first and biggest difference is experience, because I actually have it. The county has a budget that is now over $9 billion with more than 20,000 employees. It's a significant responsibility and deserves a leader that knows how to manage it effectively.
- I bring over 20 years of executive management experience both in business and at the municipal level.
Krahel: I am the only Democrat in this race, and my opponent's record as mayor of San Marcos does not reflect the values or the results North County families need.
- I bring a combination of private sector experience, federal policy expertise, and deep community roots that no other candidate in this race can match.
Do you support Measure B? Why or why not?
Jones: No.
Krahel: Yes.
What is one concrete thing you would accomplish in your first year?
Jones: I want to bring the San Marcos model of an efficiency department to the county.
Krahel: I will conduct a full review of the county's housing permitting process in unincorporated District 5 and set mandatory processing timelines with real accountability, so compliant housing projects move faster instead of sitting for a year or more.