San Diego County Board of Supervisors: A Political History
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors serves as the primary governing body for the region, overseeing critical administrative and legislative functions. For decades, the board's composition reflected a consistent political leaning, but recent years have seen a dramatic shift in party control and historic milestones in representation.
The Era of Republican Dominance
From 1995 to 2013, the Board of Supervisors was characterized by total Republican control. During this period, the same five individuals—Greg Cox, Bill Horn, Diane Jacob, Ron Roberts, and Pam Slater-Price—held the seats, maintaining a stable but singular political direction for nearly two decades.
The first crack in this continuity occurred in 2012 when Democrat Dave Roberts won the seat vacated by the retiring Pam Slater-Price, who notably endorsed his candidacy. This shift was short-lived; in 2016, Republican Kristin Gaspar, the mayor of Encinitas, unseated Roberts following a workplace scandal that impacted his campaign.
The Shift Toward Democratic Control
The political landscape began to transform again in 2018 when Nathan Fletcher defeated former San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis to take the seat previously held by Ron Roberts, returning a Democrat to the board.
A historic turning point arrived during the 2020 election. For the first time in decades, Democrats won control of the Board of Supervisors. This shift was secured by the victories of Nora Vargas and Terra Lawson-Remer in their respective districts. In a separate contest, Republican former state senator Joel Anderson narrowly defeated fellow Republican Poway Mayor Steve Vaus to succeed the retiring Diane Jacob.
Historic Milestones and Recent Transitions
The board has recently seen significant changes in its demographic and gender composition. In 2023, Nathan Fletcher resigned from the district 4 seat amid allegations of sexual misconduct. A subsequent special election resulted in the victory of Monica Montgomery Steppe.
Montgomery Steppe's inauguration was a landmark event, as she became the first Black woman to serve as a supervisor in the county's history. Her appointment also marked the first time a majority of the supervisors were women.
Recent years have brought further volatility. Although Nora Vargas was re-elected in November 2024, she announced on December 20 that she would not take the oath of office in January 2025, citing personal safety and security reasons. This left the board split evenly between two Democrats and two Republicans, creating a deadlock that left the position of chair vacant as the board could not agree on a replacement.
Stability returned in 2025 following a special election for Vargas' seat. After a runoff on July 1st between Chula Vista Mayor John McCann and Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre, Aguirre emerged victorious. Following her victory, Terra Lawson-Remer was elected as chair in July 2025.
Key Facts
- Long-term Stability: The same five Republicans held all board seats from 1995 to 2013.
- Democratic Milestone: Democrats first gained control of the board following the 2020 elections.
- Historic Firsts: Monica Montgomery Steppe is the first Black woman to serve as a county supervisor.
- Gender Representation: The board achieved a female majority for the first time upon Montgomery Steppe's inauguration.
- Recent Leadership: Terra Lawson-Remer was elected chair in July 2025.
Summary of Recent Board Transitions
| Year | Outgoing Supervisor | Incoming Supervisor | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Pam Slater-Price | Dave Roberts | First Democrat in years |
| 2016 | Dave Roberts | Kristin Gaspar | Return to Republican control |
| 2018 | Ron Roberts | Nathan Fletcher | Democratic return |
| 2020 | Various | Nora Vargas, Terra Lawson-Remer | Democratic majority achieved |
| 2023 | Nathan Fletcher | Monica Montgomery Steppe | First Black woman supervisor |
| 2025 | Nora Vargas | Paloma Aguirre | Resolved board split |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the first Black woman to serve on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors?
Monica Montgomery Steppe became the first Black woman to serve as a supervisor following a special election in 2023.
When did Democrats first gain control of the Board of Supervisors in recent decades?
Democrats won control of the board during the 2020 election, following victories by Nora Vargas and Terra Lawson-Remer.
Why did Nora Vargas decline to take the oath of office in 2025?
Nora Vargas announced she would not take the oath of office due to personal safety and security reasons.
Who is the current chair of the Board of Supervisors as of July 2025?
Terra Lawson-Remer was elected as chair in July 2025, following the election of Paloma Aguirre to the board.
What happened during the board vacancy in early 2025?
The board was split evenly between two Democrats and two Republicans, which resulted in the role of chair remaining vacant because the members could not agree on a replacement.