Voices of the Voters: San Marcos Voters Faced Big Decisions 

This election year, voters in San Marcos found themselves at the intersection of three of the region’s key races: District 5 County Board of Supervisors, the 40th Senate District and the 48th Congressional District. 

Maria, who lives in San Marcos, decided to vote in person at the San Marcos Community Center Tuesday morning. She acknowledged how important this election is for people in her community.  

She voted for Kyle Krahel, the Democrat in the race for the North County Board of Supervisors seat. He is a political newcomer and former chair of the county Democratic party. He’s running against Republican Rebecca Jones, the current mayor of San Marcos.  

“Kyle seems more focused on our communities — things like homelessness, affordable housing and affordable childcare,” Maria said.  

Another early-morning voter, Akasia, voted the other way, choosing Jones for the D5 seat. She told Voice that, for her, it mainly came down to experience. As a San Marcos resident, Akasia has seen Jones serve as mayor for many years. 

“I really like her leadership style, and I liked the way she ran her campaign,” she said. “Also, she’s a girl, and I’m a girl’s girl.” 

District 5 covers North County cities including Escondido, San Marcos, Oceanside and Vista, as well as 10 unincorporated communities including Bonsall, Borrego Springs, Fallbrook, Rainbow and Valley Center.  

Current District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond is termed out and is running for the 48th Congressional District.  

Raj, a father who lives and works in Vista, had many reasons to vote today — one of them being a chance to flip the 48th Congressional District and, ultimately, Congress. 

Last year, voters passed Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting measure, Proposition 50, creating five new, Democrat-leaning congressional districts, including in the 48th. At stake is control of the House of Representatives. 

Republican Desmond and Democrat Marni von Wilpert, a San Diego city councilmember, are facing off for the seat currently held by Republican Rep. Darrell Issa. 

Armed with this information, Raj showed up bright and early with his daughter at the San Marcos Community Center to drop off his ballot. He voted for von Wilpert because he’s hoping for real change, he said. 

“Desmond has been in office for a long time, but I haven’t seen much from his record in terms of real change,” Raj said. “I want to see something different, and I think Marni can bring that.” 

Twenty-six-year-old Grace from San Marcos also voted for von Wilpert. Grace believes she’ll fight for issues like women’s rights, whereas Desmond, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump, would not. 

Only one person I spoke to, out of a handful of voters weighing in on the 48th race, voted for Desmond.  

Luke is a father and business owner in San Marcos. He lived in San Marcos when Desmond was mayor and supported his campaign for supervisor eight years ago.  

“He’s a common sense leader,” Luke said. “And he’s the kind of leader I would want in Congress.” 

The 48th Congressional District spans North County cities including Escondido, San Marcos and Vista, as well as some cities in Riverside County and Coachella Valley, including Temecula, Murrieta and parts of Palm Springs. 

Then there’s the Senate District 40 race between Republican Kristie Bruce-Lane and Democrat Mara Elliott, former San Diego city attorney. Both are battling to replace state Sen. Brian Jones, a Republican who is termed out. 

Andrea, who lives in San Marcos, voted for Mara Elliott. But she wasn’t too thrilled about it.  

“Honestly, I wasn’t super happy with either candidate,” she said. “I do think Mara is the better choice; she’s not someone who I’m necessarily excited to vote for.” 

 Another voter, Charlie, who works in San Marcos but lives elsewhere in North County, decided to vote in person for Bruce-Lane. He felt she was the better candidate, and more importantly, she supports lower taxes. 

“Mara wants to raise our taxes, and I already pay enough — I don’t need that,” Charlie said. 

Senate District 40 runs from north to south, from the Riverside County line down through Escondido and Poway and then juts out to the east past Alpine.   

The post Voices of the Voters: San Marcos Voters Faced Big Decisions  appeared first on Voice of San Diego.