SAN MARCOS — Incumbent District 4 City Councilmember Ed Musgrove achieved a decisive win over challenger Natasha Zander Hilmes after leading by nearly 30 percentage points.
Musgrove, who will serve a second term representing northern San Marcos, including Richland, Santa Fe Hills, and Palomar College, thanked voters on social media and said he looks forward to another term on the council.
“I am honored to announce my re-election to the San Marcos City Council. I am humbled by the trust you have instilled in me by electing me to continue serving as your City Councilmember. San Marcos is a great city with so much to offer our residents. I am proud to represent my neighbors while ensuring our city continues to serve you,” Musgrove said.
In the City Council District 3 race, attorney Danielle LeBlang is close to victory with 57% of the vote, holding a nearly 15-point lead over attorney Alan Geraci.
If this trend continues, LeBlang is primed to take the seat currently held by Sharon Jenkins, who has termed out after serving on the council for 12 years and represents Cal State San Marcos, North City, and the Creek District.
Sales tax, school bond
A citywide one-cent sales tax and $324 million school bond measure have passed in San Marcos after garnering overwhelming support from voters.
Approximately 60% of San Marcos voters approved the citywide Measure Q sales tax, which is anticipated to bring in around $20 million in additional revenue for the city over the next 10 years. A simple majority of at least 50% is required to pass.
Revenues would go toward law enforcement and emergency response services, maintaining public streets and infrastructure, reducing traffic congestion, and maintaining parks, trails, playgrounds and community facilities.
In the San Marcos Unified School District, Measure JJ currently has just over 57% approval, narrowly exceeding the 55% margin required for it to pass.
Measure JJ would issue $324 million in bonds through a property tax levy of approximately $40 per $100,000 in assessed value to fund needed facility updates, including the replacement of portable classrooms and campus reconstruction.
San Marcos Unified leaders estimated last year that costs for needed facility modernization and updates are between $250 million and $425 million. Facilities with the greatest infrastructure needs include Woodland Park Middle School and Paloma and Knob Hill elementary schools.
San Marcos Unified School District
Two challengers and one incumbent are leading the races for three open seats on the San Marcos Unified School District board.
In the Area A race, incumbent Carlos Ulloa is trailing behind challenger Heidi Herrick, a parent and business owner. Herrick leads with 55.82% over Ulloa’s 44.18% as of Monday evening.
Area B incumbent Sarah Ahmad is the only incumbent currently who appears to have won their race, with Monday evening voting results confirming her victory. Ahmad earned just under 59% compared to small business manager Brittany Bower’s 41%.
In the Area D race, parent and business owner Lena Lauer Meum is close to winning with 58.23%, compared to incumbent Jaime Chamberlin’s 41.68%.
Chamberlin, Ahmad and Ulloa seek second terms on the San Marcos school board.
Palomar College
Two of the five Palomar College Governing Board seats were on the ballot this year, with challengers Yvette Marie Acosta and Holly Hamilton-Bleakley leading their respective races. The board oversees the functions of the 31,000-student community college in San Marcos.
Acosta, a school counselor and psychologist at Escondido High School, has earned 52.25% of the vote in the Area 2 race. Edward Pohlert, a counselor and Faculty Director for Retention Services at MiraCosta College, is trailing with 47.75%.
UC San Diego professor Hamilton-Bleakley leads the three-candidate Area 4 race with 57.62% of the vote, followed by incumbent Michelle Rains with 28.90% and nonprofit director Ami Admire with 13.47%.
President Roberto Rodriguez ran unopposed for re-election to his Area 3 seat, representing south San Marcos, Del Dios, La Jolla Valley and Rancho Peñasquitos. He will serve his second term on the board.
