Incumbents still hold leads as Chula Vista primary ballots continue to be counted

Incumbent Mayor John McCann and challenger Francisco Tamayo remain ahead in Chula Vista's mayoral primary election, while the council incumbents lead in their respective races, according to updated unofficial results released Tuesday by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters.

McCann captured 30,681 votes, or 56.16%, while Tamayo had 21,574 votes, or 39.49%.

In the city's District 1 council race, incumbent Carolina Chavez leads with 7,064 votes, or 43.36%, while certified public accountant and small business owner Gregory Martinez had 3,897 votes, or 23.92%. In District 2, Jose Preciado remains ahead with 6,240 votes, or 48.61%, while Chula Vista Elementary School District employee Angelica Martinez had 3,500 votes, or 27.26%.

The top two finishers from each race will face off in the general election in November.

The mayoral race pits McCann, a Republican and the council's longest-serving member, against two Democratic-leaning challengers. Tamayo, 45, is a technology director and Chula Vista Elementary School District trustee running on housing affordability and economic development. Yair Gersten, 34, is a San Diego County analyst making his first run for office, finishing third with 2,378 votes, 4.35%.

In District 1, which covers the northeastern part of the city, Chavez is seeking a second term. Her challengers are Martinez, a certified public accountant and small business owner; Joy Emmanuel, a family physician with 23 years of practice in the district who placed third with 2,895 votesm or 17.77%; Sergio Vargas, a community activist and 20-year Chula Vista resident who placed fourth with 1,341 votes, or 8.23%; and Chuck Sanfilippo, a planning commissioner; who finished last with 1,093 votes, or 6.71%.

“I am deeply honored by [these] early results and grateful for the trust District 1 residents have placed in me,” Chavez said in a statement. “They want to continue the progress we have built together, with leadership that has remained focused on delivering results, strengthening public safety, improving infrastructure, and expanding economic opportunity so that every family has the chance to succeed.”

Martinez said he fully expects to advance to the runoff.

“My focus now is on bringing together voters who supported other candidates, as well as the many residents who did not participate in the primary election,” he said in a statement. “The runoff will certainly be competitive. My opponent has significant support from organized labor and the local Democratic establishment, so my strategy will be to continue taking my message directly to voters and focusing on the issues that matter most to our community.”

In District 2, which covers northwestern Chula Vista, Preciado is seeking re-election to the seat he has held since 2022. He was challenged by Martinez, a school district employee; Russ Hall, a retired educator with more than 32 years of city commission service with 1,736 votes,or 13.52%; and Jesse Navarro, a retired public safety consultant with 1,361 votes, or 10.60%.

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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 6:35 PM.