San Marcos voters will pick a new mayor on Nov. 3, choosing between Sharon Jenkins, a former longtime councilmember and deputy mayor, and Mike Sannella, the city's current deputy mayor. The race opened up after Mayor Rebecca Jones decided to run for a different office, leaving her seat up for grabs for the first time in years.
Jones is campaigning for the District 5 seat on the County Board of Supervisors, according to Voice of San Diego. Her departure from the mayor's race, first reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune, created an opening for someone to seek the position without facing an entrenched incumbent — and both Jenkins and Sannella jumped at the chance.
Jenkins is no stranger to San Marcos politics. She spent 12 years on the city council, including six as deputy mayor, the Union-Tribune reports. Before that, per the same account, she served 14 years on the San Marcos Unified School District board. Sannella, meanwhile, was first elected to the council in 2022 and now holds the deputy mayor post himself, as NBC 7 San Diego reporter Joey Safchik NBC 7 San Diego notes.
Party Lines Shape an Officially Nonpartisan Race
While city elections are nonpartisan on paper, the two major parties have lined up behind their favorites. Jenkins is endorsed by the San Diego County Democratic Party and backed by San Diego Democrats, while Sannella has drawn support from the San Diego GOP, the article's reporting indicates. Jones herself has thrown her endorsement behind Sannella, who is a Republican, the Voice of San Diego report states.
Fundraising has also split along familiar lines so far. As of June 30, Sannella held a fundraising edge with $42,621 available compared to Jenkins' $29,872, according to the Union-Tribune. Despite the partisan backing on both sides, both candidates insist they're staying above the national fray.
Candidates Say They're Focused on City Hall, Not Washington
Sannella has said he wants to stay outside national politics and the broader political fray, while Jenkins has said she hopes the race stays civil and feels refreshing compared to more combative contests elsewhere. Both candidates describe the contest as centered on local issues rather than partisan battles, even as San Marcos voters weigh other races on the same ballot that could shape the balance of power in Congress or strengthen the Democratic majority on the city council.
Jenkins has said she has maintained a nonpartisan approach over her 26 years in local public service. Asked what she would fix first, she pointed to traffic flow in San Marcos as her top priority. Her campaign also touts 35 years of volunteer service across 25 nonprofit organizations and community efforts, according to her campaign website.
Sannella has said his focus is public safety, parks and recreation, economic development, and building a strong local economy. His campaign site lists a platform centered on homelessness, public safety, traffic infrastructure, parks and recreation, and fiscal responsibility, per his campaign page.
A City Weighing Growth Against Its Future
The contest arrives as San Marcos grapples with rapid growth and the question of how to sustain it over the long haul, Voice of San Diego reports. Jenkins and Sannella were slated to sit down for a moderated conversation on Oct. 2 to discuss housing mandates, the city's aging population and its long-term economic path, according to the outlet.
San Marcos's general municipal election falls on Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polling places open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to The Coast News. Voters will be asked to vote for one candidate for mayor on their ballots that day.
