Chula Vista is the county’s second largest city, but a lack of jobs is driving a third of its population away every day. Nearly 83,000 residents commute to work outside the city, according to U.S. Census data.
Chula Vista mayoral and council candidates said growing the city's job market is their top issue in the Nov. 4 election. Chula Vista voters will choose a new mayor and fill two seats on the four-member City Council.
The election comes as the city struggles to attract business, according to a report last year. The next wave of city leaders hopes major development projects in the works will generate good-paying jobs.
The candidates for mayor and City Council talked about their plans to spur growth and development at a recent forum hosted at Southwestern College. Here's who they are and what they had to say:
Chula Vista Mayor's Race
"You have my commitment as mayor that we will retain our industrial base here, our industrial lands. And we will streamline processes, making certain for businesses so they can locate here, and take care of our existing businesses."
Experience: Chula Vista City Council (1996-2000, 2000-04, 2012-present), South Bay Irrigation District (2004-06), California Assembly (2006-10)
Key endorsements: San Diego County Democratic Party, Chula Vista Democratic Club, Eastlake-Bonita Democratic Club, Chula Vista Police Officers Association, Chula Vista Firefighters Local 2180
% of primary vote: 44
"These efforts at the bay front, the Millenia Village, are job generators. And we have to work full time. And as your mayor, I pledge to do that on a daily basis. it's not a part-time job, it's a full-time job to make a difference."
Experience: Chula Vista City Council (1990-98, 2000-08), vice chairman of Metropolitan Transit System, San Diego County Board of Education (2008-12), president of Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce (2013)
Key endorsements: San Diego County Republican Party, Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce, Chula Vista Bonita Republican Women Federated, Latino American Political Association of San Diego, U-T San Diego
% of primary vote: 38
Chula Vista Council Seat 1 Race
McCann did not attend the candidate forum due to a scheduling conflict, but according to his website: "John McCann is committed to making the Chula Vista Bayfront a reality, helping to bring businesses, jobs and visitors to our city."
Experience: Chula Vista City Council (2002-06, 2006-10), Sweetwater School Board (2010-14), Naval Officer (deployed to Iraq)
Key endorsements: U-T San Diego
% of primary vote: 37
"I think that we need to look into creating special incentive zones, working with our state legislators to renew tax investment zones, to look at tax holidays for certain types of industries."
Experience: Chula Vista City Council (1994-98, 1998-2002), Chula Vista mayor (2002-06), California Coastal Commission member (2005-07), San Diego Port District commissioner (2009-11)
Key Endorsements: San Diego County Democratic Party, Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego County, Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce, Chula Vista Police Officers Association, Chula Vista Employees Association
% of primary vote: 32
Chula Vista Council Seat 2 Race
"We need to encourage our existing wealth of small businesses. The other thing that's critical, critical to bringing jobs to Chula Vista is a four-year university."
Experience: Chula Vista City Council(2010-14), director of planning at UCSD
Key Endorsements: Chula Vista Police Officers Association, Chula Vista Firefighters Local 2180, U-T San Diego
% of primary vote: 48
"I would set up a liaison. We have so many staff that's working with the city to foster the growth of small businesses, to help them. When I went in to get my business license, I felt I was bothering the staff, and I think that is something we can change."
Experience: Defense lawyer, Gaslamp board of directors
Key Endorsements: Filipino American GOP Association
% of primary vote: 16
