OCEANSIDE — Oceanside voters have re-elected Mayor Esther Sanchez, ousted the city treasurer, and renewed the city’s half-cent sales tax, according to final election results.
Sanchez narrowly defeated Deputy Mayor Ryan Keim in one of the county’s closest races, securing re-election by just 232 votes, per the San Diego County Registrar of Voters’ final tally released Dec. 3.
Keim led the competitive race early in November, but the race flipped in Sanchez’s favor as more ballots were counted later in the month.
“I’m so excited and just so proud of our community,” Sanchez said. “I’m proud to be able to serve Oceanside at this specific moment in time with staff who I think really care about our community.”
Sanchez, Oceanside’s first Latina mayor, was first elected to the City Council in 2000 and became mayor in 2020. Born and raised in Oceanside, she grew up in the historic Eastside neighborhood.
In addition to Sanchez’s re-election, voters chose Jimmy Figueroa to represent District 3, the seat currently held by Keim, who opted to run for mayor rather than seek re-election. District 3 includes South Oceanside and the Tri-City neighborhoods.
“I’m so happy for Jimmy,” Sanchez said, noting similarities between herself and Figueroa as Oceanside natives who grew up in historically underserved neighborhoods.
Sanchez also expressed excitement about the new Democrat majority on the City Council, the first since she was first elected over 20 years ago.
“This is a great opportunity, but it’s going to be on us to show the community that we will put them first,” she said.
Voters also elected Phyllis Dominguez as the city’s new treasurer, replacing Victor Roy, who was defeated by nearly 1,000 votes. Councilmember Peter Weiss was re-elected to represent District 4.
Measure X, Oceanside’s half-cent sales tax, first approved in 2018, was extended for another 10 years with 70% of voters in favor. The tax funds public safety, road improvements, infrastructure, free youth programs, and homeless services.
The Citizen Oversight Committee continues to review Measure X projects and provide recommendations to the City Council.
