Democrat Patricia Dillard leads early in La Mesa mayoral race

Democratic Councilmember Patricia Dillard currently leads by 4.2 points in the race to become La Mesa's next mayor, according to the Times of San Diego. This early lead is based on the first 12,466 votes counted in the election to replace Mayor Mark Arapostathis, who is term-limited after 12 years in office.

Dillard expressed cautious optimism at her watch party, emphasizing the community's desire for a mayor who is strategic, calm, and knowledgeable about advancing the city. She highlighted the importance of shaping La Mesa's future so that it remains a place where future generations can live and thrive.

More than 38,000 residents participated in the last mayoral election, with thousands of votes still uncounted in this race. La Mesa, a city of about 60,000 people, has had only two mayors since 1990, indicating a history of political stability.

Dillard's campaign has received backing from major labor unions as well as the police and fire unions in La Mesa, signaling broad support across different community sectors.