South County’s three major cities are heading to the polls on November 5, and each mayoral race tells a different story about the region’s diverse political culture. National City has turned into the most expensive and contentious contest, Chula Vista’s race appears decided before Election Day, and Imperial Beach remains a tightly contested three‑way battle.

National City: A $260,000 Battle Between Former Allies

National City’s mayoral race now features two incumbent City Council members, Marcus Bush and Jose Rodriguez, squaring off in a three‑way race that also includes first‑time candidate insert name (who lacks comparable name recognition and resources). Bush, a lifelong progressive Democrat, has been labeled a “MAGA Marcus” by Rodriguez’s campaign, a claim that rests on a website that tracks supporters with Republican ties. The site even assigns a “MAGA Meter” to each mention, though some of those supporters also donated to Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, who returned a $999 contribution from a Lincoln Club Business League member after criticism, argues that Bush’s alliance with business owners seeking to delay a proposed city business tax increase betrays progressive values. Bush counters that Rodriguez has misrepresented his college degree and points to a 2022 censure for misconduct as evidence of untrustworthiness.

The race has attracted $260,000 in contributions from interest groups and local donors, a level that Mayor Ron Morrison says is unprecedented for National City. “Campaigns used to be clean and cordial,” Morrison said. “It’s gotten nastier.”

Chula Vista: Incumbent Republican Holds Firm

Chula Vista voters will choose between current Mayor John McCann, a Republican, and Francisco Tamayo, a Democratic trustee for the Chula Vista Elementary School District. Early in the cycle, a powerful labor union poured close to $160,000 into Tamayo’s primary campaign, but after the June primary he raised no additional funds and admitted he had not mounted a full‑scale door‑to‑door effort.

McCann, who has raised roughly $270,000, now enjoys a clear financial advantage. Democratic insiders acknowledge that McCann’s durability in a majority‑Democratic city stems from his “folksy” style and focus on fixing streets and addressing everyday concerns, even if they do not share his political views. Brigette Browning, head of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, noted that McCann is “not like your typical Republican,” which has helped him maintain broad appeal.

McCann says his campaign will continue extensive outreach through the weekend, emphasizing quality‑of‑life improvements for residents.

Imperial Beach: Two Democrats Challenge a Conservative‑Leaning Independent

Imperial Beach’s mayoral race pits incumbent Mayor Mitch McKay, a conservative‑leaning independent, against two Democratic challengers: former construction manager Karl Bradley and City Councilmember Matthew Leyba‑Gonzalez. Observers warned that the two Democrats could split the vote, giving McKay an advantage.

Bradley, who relies on personal door‑to‑door campaigning, says he has strong word‑of‑mouth support despite lacking the tens of thousands of dollars backing Leyba‑Gonzalez. Leyba‑Gonzalez, a former union construction worker now serving as a business officer for a building trades union, has received about $80,000 from the same union that previously supported Tamayo in Chula Vista. That funding has covered a campaign website, mailers, and a social‑media push.

Both challengers say they will continue knocking on doors until Election Day, trusting that personal contact will resonate with the city’s heterogeneous electorate of surfers, military families, retirees, and recent immigrants.

What Voters Should Know

All three races involve critical budget and policy decisions for their cities. National City faces an existential budget shortfall, prompting debate over a proposed business tax increase. Chula Vista’s voters will decide whether to keep a Republican mayor who emphasizes practical services in a largely Democratic city. Imperial Beach’s outcome will determine if a conservative‑leaning independent can retain the mayor’s office amid a split Democratic field.

With less than a week left, candidates are intensifying outreach, and local interest groups are watching closely to see how these mayoral contests will shape South County’s future.

Original reporting: Voice of San Diego — read the source article.