McCann, Campa-Najjar take early lead in race for Chula Vista mayor

John McCann was leading the race to become mayor of Chula Vista, with 31 percent of the votes, according to early returns Tuesday, while Ammar Campa-Najjar was close behind with 22 percent of the votes.

The top two vote-getters in the six-way contest to lead San Diego County’s second-largest city will advance to the November general election.

Jill Galvez was trailing in third place with 21 percent of the votes, Zaneta Encarnacion was in fourth with 11 percent, Spencer Cash was in fifth with 8 percent and Rudy Ramirez followed with 7 percent. Christine Brady, a write-in candidate, had less than 1 percent.

“I’ve been a leader for the last 40 years in the community and I know that they want proven results and want to make sure that public safety is a priority,” McCann said Tuesday.

McCann, 53, a Republican who was endorsed by the Chula Vista Police Officers Association, emphasized public safety as his top priority. In 2014, the council member helped build the police department from about 260 to more than 270 officers. He said in a previous interview that the city must “continue to hire new, additional police officers, build a substation east of (Interstate) 805 and build two additional fire stations in the city.”

Democratic candidate Campa-Najjar, 33, is a small-business owner who previously ran twice for Congress to represent East County. He said improving the city’s economic health was a top issue. He ran with a vision to create an “aggressive economic growth plan” for the city and hire two grant writers.

“We feel very delighted to be in the top two,” Campa-Najjar said. “We ran a strong campaign and I suspect it will get better as the night progresses. I’m very humbled and honored to be chosen by the city that I grew up in to be someone that can potentially be older and it’s a great homecoming for me.”

Galvez, the District 2 council member, wants to expand the city’s efforts to address homelessness by ensuring Chula Vista opens its first homeless shelter this summer and begins looking at other areas for a second shelter.

Encarnacion is a Southwestern College executive and had earned an endorsement from current Mayor Mary Casillas Salas, who is termed out and barred from running again. She wants to see more business development across the county and bring higher-paying jobs.

Cash, an Army veteran, emphasized during his campaign the need for Chula Vista to renegotiate all its contracts, particularly after a monthlong trash strike in December. Ramirez, a former council member, also saw homelessness as a top concern and said he would help improve relationships between the city and nonprofits that work with homeless individuals.

Councilmember Steve Padilla, who represents District 3, is running for state Senate District 18 against Alejandro Galicia. As of Tuesday, Padilla was ahead with 62 percent or 32,200 votes. They will face off again in November and if Padilla wins, the Chula Vista city council will decide whether to hold a special election or appoint someone.