San Marcos Mayor and Levin Aide Face Off for County Seat
Rebecca Jones and Kyle Krahel will vie for the District 5 supervisorship on November 3, representing a region that spans four major cities and Camp Pendleton.
By Giulia Donovan ·
San Diego County voters in District 5 will select a new supervisor on Nov. 3, choosing between San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones and Kyle Krahel, a deputy chief of staff to Rep. Mike Levin. The contest fills the seat vacated by Supervisor Jim Desmond, who is now running for the 48th Congressional District. The district is the county’s largest by area, encompassing Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos, and Vista, along with Camp Pendleton and various unincorporated communities.
Jones, a Republican, has served as San Marcos mayor since December 2018 after 11 years on the City Council. She states that the county budget has increased more than 40% over the past six years. Jones said she would demand an efficiency review to lower costs for public safety and fire protection, which she believes would reduce insurance rates for families.
She opposes Measure A, which proposes expanded term limits and gives supervisors the power to hire and fire key department heads. Jones called the measure self-serving politics. She also opposes Measure B, a $400 million sales tax for sewage, child care, and public safety, arguing that the county could find 5% in savings instead of raising taxes.
Krahel, a Democrat and former county party chair, has not previously held elected office. He holds a government degree from Harvard University and plans to conduct a line-by-line audit of the county’s $9 billion budget. Krahel said he would review unfilled positions and consulting contracts to ensure overhead spending does not detract from services like healthcare and law enforcement.
Krahel supports Measure A, with the exception of the provision allowing supervisors to serve three four-year terms. He favors an independent ethics commission and public confirmation of senior county officials. He supports Measure B, describing the current situation as dire due to federal budget cuts shifting costs to the county.
Both candidates prioritize homelessness. Jones proposes mandating treatment for individuals with addiction who refuse help and pose a safety risk, citing the San Diego Rescue Mission as an effective model. Krahel advocates for a regional system using county-owned land for shelters paired with behavioral health care and job services. He also wants to fast-track accessory dwelling units to increase housing supply.
The Board of Supervisors is nonpartisan, though ideological differences have emerged since 2020. The district includes eight tribal reservations and unincorporated areas such as Borrego Springs and Warner Springs. County government provides primary services, including law enforcement and public health, for these unincorporated communities.
