Sherman Wins Outright In Council District 7

November 6 Election Results

Insurance-business owner Scott Sherman avoided a run-off by taking 51 percent of the vote over challenger Mat Kostrinsky in the San Diego City Council's District 7 race.

He bested home-health advocate Mat Kostrinsky, who took just under 40 percent of the vote in the multi-candidate field.

"What tonight is really showing is what a great night this is for reform in San Diego,'' Sherman told supporters.

The area has been represented by Councilwoman Marti Emerald, who is moving over to the newly created District 9, which runs from the College Area through part of City Heights to Southcrest. Emerald won that seat outright over challenger Mateo Camarillo.

District 7 is one of two key districts that could determine the political majority on the San Diego City Council. The newly redistricted district, currently served by Marti Emerald, now includes Linda Vista and Serra Mesa. It runs along the north side of I-8, through San Carlos and Lake Murray, and then up the east side of I-15 through Tierrasanta.

Republican Sherman is an insurance salesman. He says he has “deep roots providing peace of mind to families and business” in the community. According to his website, he said “City Hall could use a little common sense from someone with real world experience.” He went to Patrick Henry High and Grossmont Community College. He supports Comprehensive Pension Reform. Sherman and his wife live in the Allied Gardens area.

Democrat Kostrinsky was nominated by Councilmember Emerald and appointed by San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders to sit on the Consolidated Plan Advisory Board. According to his website, he led the establishment of the Lake Murray Playground Project, which raised money to develop a new playground. Kostrinsky attended Pershing Middle School and Patrick Henry High. He went to San Diego State University and after graduating, moved to Washington, D.C. to work for United States Senator Dianne Feinstein.

If no one wins more than 50 percent of Tuesday's vote, the top two candidates will face off in November.

Kostrinsky told KPBS what he would do if elected. (Sherman was unable to appear.)

Although he has worked for unions in the past, Kostrinsky is campaigning for no new taxes. He said his past work experience made him believe that raising taxes is unfair.

"I worked for a U.S. Senator, a Chamber of Commerce, and I worked for home care providers," he said. "Our folks make $9.50 an hour and care for loved ones of ours that are veterans, disabled, and seniors to stay in their house."

The communities in District 7 are Allied Gardens, Birdland, Del Cerro, Grantville, Lake Murray (San Carlos - East), Linda Vista, MCAS Miramar, Mission Valley East, Mission Valley West, San Carlos, Serra Mesa and Tierrasanta.