Forum to spotlight Supervisor candidates at SWC

Southwestern College will host a Candidate Forum for the County’s First Supervisorial District Special Election, coordinated and moderated by Political Science Professor Phil Saenz. Six out of the seven candidates vying to fill the vacancy created by Nora Vargas’ resignation will participate in the forum.

This forum will be held at the Southwestern College Performing Arts Center on March 15 from 10-11:30 a.m. The following San Diego County Supervisor District One candidates will be in attendance: Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre, Chula Vista Deputy Mayor Carolina Chavez, small business owner Louis A. Fuentes, City of San Diego Councilmember Vivian Moreno, affordable energy consultant Elizabeth Efird, and Lincoln Pickard.
The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of the term, ending in January 2029. If no candidate secures a majority vote in the primary election, the top two vote-getters will advance to the special general election on July 1, 2025.

In a press release, Professor Saenz emphasized that special elections historically experience low voter turnout, particularly in the South County. Based on recent voting trends, there is a concern that the April election—and potentially the July runoff—may see less than 25% voter participation. The forum will provide community members with the information they need to make an informed decision and will encourage increased voter turnout.

This forum is free and open to the public.