Republicans in San Diego County scored a major victory yesterday, as Laura Lothian won the race for La Mesa City Council. Lothian was up against five other candidates and won just under 40% of the vote. This seat had long been in the hands of the Democratic Party.
This is a massive victory as Lothian’s election is a key vote as SANDAG is currently proposing a four-cent-per-mile mileage tax among a bevy of taxes and fees to fund a massive transportation investment. Lothian is strongly opposed to the mileage tax and all tax increases which include a proposed increase in sales tax in La Mesa. Lothian also supported cutting regulations on small businesses, cleaning up homelessness, and supporting law enforcement. Lothian is a long-time resident of La Mesa as well as a real estate agent and small business owner in La Mesa.
Lothian occupies the seat that was vacated by Akilah Weber. Weber was elected to the State Assembly in early 2021 after her mother Shirley Weber was elevated to be California’s Secretary of State. Chairman of Reform California Carl DeMaio said that this election is in response to SANDAG’s proposal of more taxes and that it cost the Democrats a reliable and safe seat, “ San Diego Democrats just lost a safe Dem seat all because of their crazy Mileage Tax proposal! In 4 months, Dems have lost Carlsbad AND La Mesa over this issue.”
The final results in the race had Lothian winning 3,102 votes of 7,947 ballots received, which is around 40% of the vote. Patricia N. Dillard came in second place with 1,651 votes, about 20%.
Photo Cred: KUSI
