SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — With San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas nearing the end of her term on Monday, Jan. 6, a number of public officials across the county have expressed their desire to fill her seat.
Vargas, who won re-election, announced her plans to step down on Dec. 20 at the end of her current term, citing “personal safety and security” as determining factors.
Vargas recently led an effort prevent the use of county resources and funding to assist federal immigration agents with deportations.
On Dec. 10, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 in favor of the measure, with Supervisor Joel Anderson being absent, to restrict use of its jails, county buildings and personnel to help agents with federal immigration enforcement.
Vargas has not said what the nature of the threats were and her office has declined to give further details.
Since Vargas announced her resignation, San Diego City Councilmember Vivian Moreno and Chula Vista Mayor John McCann have expressed their interest in running to replace Vargas.
The people hoping to replace Chair Nora Vargas after she announced her desire to step down. (From L to R): John McCann, Vivian Moreno, Paloma Aguirre and Carolina Chavez. (Campaign photos)
Above: San Diego City Councilmember Vivian Moreno sat down with KUSI to discuss why she is running for county supervisor.
Last week, Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre announced she would join them in the race.
“South County has been ignored for too long — and I’m ready to change that,” Aguirre stated on her campaign website.
Chula Vista Councilmember Carolina Chavez has also thrown her hat in the ring in the running for a seat on the board, as reported by Axios San Diego on Thursday. FOX 5/KUSI has reached out to Chavez for a statement confirming her intent and is waiting to hear back.
A resident of the Cali-Baja region, Chavez is the first Latina and binational councilmember to represent Chula Vista’s District 1, according to her biographical statement on the City of Chula Vista website.
On the date of when Vargas announced her decision, Chavez made the following statement on her Instagram and Facebook pages: “I want to thank @supnoravargas for her service to our region and her unwavering commitment to our community. Her dedication to uplifting our region and her tireless advocacy for equity and justice has left an indelible mark on San Diego County.”
Vargas, who was the first person of color and Latina to hold elected office on the board, stated in her announcement about her decision to step down that her priority “has always been our community, ensuring that everyone can be seen, heard and have a chance to thrive.”
“As a Guerrera at my core, I remain committed to continuing the fight for equity, justice, and human rights – just in a different capacity,” Vargas said in her announcement about leaving her post. “I look forward to staying whole-heartedly engaged and active in the pursuit of a more equitable society.”
Under board policies, the supervisors will be required to decide within seven business days of a vacancy opening how they plan to fill it. This could either be by appointment or through a special election.
The supervisors are expected to discuss the selection of a chair, vice-chair and chair pro tempore for the calendar year at the board’s next general legislative session meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
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