North County voters have narrowed the field in the race to replace outgoing San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond.
San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones and former congressional aide Kyle Krahel finished as the top two vote-getters in the District 5 primary and will move on to a November runoff election.
The race drew five candidates and was closely watched across North County, where the District 5 supervisor represents communities including Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, Valley Center, Fallbrook, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, and several tribal nations.
Jones, who has served on the San Marcos City Council since 2010 and as mayor since 2022, led the field on election night. Krahel, a former deputy chief of staff for Congressman Mike Levin and former Oceanside planning commissioner, secured the second runoff spot.
Vista Mayor John Franklin fell short of advancing, while former La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians Chairwoman Norma Contreras and public health professional Sasha Miller also were eliminated from the race.
The District 5 seat has long been one of the most influential elected positions in North County. The Board of Supervisors oversees county services ranging from public health and behavioral health programs to road maintenance, emergency preparedness, housing initiatives, and law enforcement funding.
During the campaign, candidates frequently pointed to issues that North County residents deal with every day: rising housing costs, homelessness, traffic congestion, wildfire risk, and public safety.
Jones campaigned on her record in San Marcos, highlighting public safety, fiscal management, and opposition to what she described as overdevelopment. Krahel focused on housing affordability, transportation improvements, and expanding access to mental health services.
The runoff will also carry political implications beyond District 5. While county supervisor races are officially nonpartisan, the board’s decisions often reflect broader political priorities. The outcome of the November election could influence the board’s direction on growth, housing policy, environmental issues, and spending decisions for years to come.
With the primary settled, attention now turns to the fall campaign, where Jones and Krahel will spend the next several months making their case to voters across North County.
The winner will take office in January and become the region’s next representative on the five-member San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
