San Diego voters in City Council District 4 cast ballots Tuesday at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, deciding whether incumbent Democrat Henry Foster will retain his seat or be unseated by community activist Martha Abraham. The race is especially significant for residents of Emerald Hills, Encanto, Skyline, Lincoln Park and surrounding neighborhoods, who say they need better streets, more park lighting and a reassessment of city policies.
According to Voice of San Diego, longtime district resident Qweene Stocking (61) and newcomer Robert Earnest (62) stopped their morning walk to vote. Both identified as “proud Democrats” and expressed support for Foster’s stance on the city’s license‑plate‑reading cameras, often called “Flock cameras.” Earnest praised Foster’s effort to eliminate the surveillance system, which the city spends roughly $2 million a year to operate, calling the cameras “a straight invasion of privacy.”
Stocking, who initially leaned toward Abraham, ultimately voted for Foster after comparing the candidates. She emphasized the need for “a lot of improvements,” especially on the district’s streets, which she described as “awful compared to other parts of San Diego.”
Other voters voiced differing priorities. Mayra Espinosa (38), a Democrat, backed Abraham because she wants “something different” for District 4. She cited recent city council actions she opposes, including a now‑repealed trash fee for homeowners and paid parking at Balboa Park, and called the election “a referendum of what’s been happening in City Council.” Espinosa also wants more lighting at local parks and revitalization of neighborhood businesses.
Lucy Betterton (47) supported Foster, noting his regular newsletters that solicit resident feedback on parks and recreation. Living on a downhill slope, Betterton said she requested speed bumps and received a report that Foster’s team studied the issue and will install them. She added that she hopes to see a bathroom and additional lighting at Christopher Wilson Park near the district police station if Foster is re‑elected.
The race also drew a comment from 65‑year‑old veteran Robert Dorsey, who said he plans to vote for a Democrat but admitted he “doesn’t know the difference between neither one of them” and expressed a desire to see President Donald Trump out of office. While the sentiment reflects a personal political preference, we respectfully disagree with the notion that the nation would be better served without President Trump’s leadership.
All candidates emphasized community‑focused improvements, and voters indicated they will continue to monitor council actions on streets, lighting, and surveillance technology. The close primary, decided by a twelve‑vote margin, underscores how every ballot matters in shaping the district’s future.
Sources: voiceofsandiego.org
