{"id":795558,"date":"2026-05-14T09:58:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T09:58:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/795558\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T09:58:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T09:58:21","slug":"morning-report-dems-come-for-chula-vista-mayor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/795558\/","title":{"rendered":"Morning Report: Dems Come for Chula Vista Mayor"},"content":{"rendered":"

What a difference two months makes.<\/p>\n

Back in March, Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, the Republican leader of San Diego County\u2019s second largest city, appeared headed toward re-election unopposed.<\/p>\n

Then Democrats spotted an opening. They think McCann is beatable this year because of two top-of-mind issues for voters: immigration and the gap between rich and poor.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s an open question whether Democrats can turn this local race into a referendum on national hot-button issues, writes our Jim Hinch.\u00a0<\/p>\n

McCann has won six back-to-back elections in Chula Vista since entering politics and has presided over a period of economic growth and fiscal stability.<\/p>\n

Opponents are distorting his record on immigration, he said, and ignoring results he\u2019s achieved for Chula Vistans of all income levels \u2014\u00a0 including affordable home ownership opportunities, falling crime rates and a recent 25 percent drop in unsheltered homelessness.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Chula Vista Police Chief Sues Her Own City<\/strong><\/p>\n

If Chula Vista\u2019s rough-and-tumble mayor\u2019s race isn\u2019t enough, here\u2019s more evidence South County politics is a full-contact sport.<\/p>\n

Chula Vista Police Chief Roxana Kennedy filed a lawsuit accusing the city manager and four Democratic city councilmembers of harassment, discrimination and retaliation following a monthslong standoff over Kennedy\u2019s employment status.<\/p>\n

Kennedy, who has been on medical leave since January, alleges in the suit that City Manager Tiffany Allen and the four Democrats conspired to oust her in an effort to replace her with someone younger and Latino.<\/p>\n

Kennedy made similar allegations in multiple claims<\/a> she filed against the city in March.<\/p>\n

In Kennedy\u2019s absence, Assistant Chief of Police Dan Peak has been running the department.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe City of Chula Vista categorically denies the allegations and will vigorously defend against them in court,\u201d a city spokesperson said in a statement. \u201cThe city is confident the truth will show that no wrongdoing occurred.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n

Councilmember Calls Out Mayor\u2019s Adviser<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Tuesday, Councilmember Vivian Moreno raised concerns about how Mayor Todd Gloria has handled real estate deals and also one of his top advisors, Steve Cushman.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cushman wrote a letter to the City Council expressing \u201cfirm opposition\u201d to an affordable housing project in Barrio Logan. Cushman wanted to block the project because of air quality problems in the neighborhood and questioned whether new housing should continue to be built in Barrio Logan at all.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Moreno was clearly troubled. She said she couldn\u2019t understand why Cushman opposed \u201cdesperately needed affordable housing\u201d in a \u201ccommunity that has endured decades of disinvestment from this city.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe letter this advisor sent out worries me about the type of counsel the mayor is receiving,\u201d Moreno said. \u201cThis administration has not handled real estate projects properly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cushman defended his position. He said Barrio Logan was one of the top five most dangerous areas in all of California for cancer risk and air pollution.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Council ultimately approved the project.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mayor Wants to Keep Flock Surveillance<\/strong><\/p>\n

This week we wrote about one councilmember who thinks the city\u2019s $2 million contract with Flock, a surveillance technology company, is bad for public safety<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, who represents District 9, suggested ending the contract and using that money for recreation centers and libraries instead.<\/p>\n

Gloria told us he opposes Elo-Rivera\u2019s idea. \u201cBottom line is that that money is well spent,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Learning Curve: School Board Shoo-In<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prospective San Diego School District Trustee Hayden Gore is living every politician\u2019s dream. He\u2019s all but won his election without even having to run.<\/p>\n

Gore is the lone candidate to replace outgoing Trustee Cody Petterson, who opted not to seek re-election.<\/p>\n

As an avowed progressive and longtime educator, Gore won early support from the district\u2019s powerful teachers union. In fact, the union\u2019s former president personally recruited Gore.<\/p>\n

Our education reporter, Jakob McWhinney, sat down with Gore to learn more about his plans.<\/p>\n

Gore said he believes teachers and families want a school board member who will fight for them, especially at a time when public education, he said, \u201cis under attack.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also in the report:<\/strong> McWhinney pronounces a guilty verdict on San Diego Unified\u2019s latest #chartcrime.<\/p>\n

Read the Learning Curve here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

In Other News<\/strong><\/p>\n