ESCONDIDO — With about half of Escondido’s ballots counted, preliminary results suggest voters are leaning toward approving a one-cent sales tax measure intended to bolster the city’s finances.
Measure I would provide funding for essential services, including public safety, homelessness response, street and infrastructure improvements, increased police, fire and paramedic services, and the maintenance of parks, trails and open space.
City officials have warned that without the tax increase, Escondido could face significant cuts to city services due to ongoing budget shortfalls.
So far, Measure I has 20,293 votes in favor, securing nearly 60% of the vote, with 13,636 votes or about 40% opposed.
As for Escondido City Council races, Deputy Mayor Christian Garcia has a strong lead with over 62% of the votes for the District 3 seat compared to opponents Veronica Cigarroa, who has over 25% of the votes, and Christine Spencer with over 12%.
Garcia was appointed to fill a council vacancy in early 2023. This is his first election as a council member.
In District 4, Judy Fitzgerald has captured nearly 70% of the vote over opponent Rod Howell. Fitzgerald will fill the seat currently held by Councilmember Mike Morasco.
For the Escondido Union High School District board, incumbent Board President Christi Knight has defeated challenger Clay Brown for Trustee Area 3, with more than double Brown’s votes.
In Trustee Area 4, incumbent Ryan Williams secured his seat with approximately 65% of the vote against challenger Dara Czerwonka.
Williams, who was appointed to the board in early 2023, also celebrates his first election win.
Similarly in Trustee Area 4, incumbent Ryan Williams has secured his seat with approximately 65% of the votes over challenger Dara Czerwonka. Williams was first appointed to the board in early 2023, making this his first official election as a board member.
In the Escondido Union School District race, covering kindergarten through eighth grade public schools, incumbent Mark Olson holds a nearly 1,000-vote lead over challenger Juan Manuel Vargas for Trustee Area 3.
City Treasurer Douglas Shultz ran unopposed.
