79th District Special Election Results: Weber Close To Victory

LA MESA, CA — La Mesa City Councilwoman Dr. Akilah Weber was close Wednesday to being elected to represent the 79th Assembly District, which includes La Mesa.

The special election was prompted after her mother, Shirley Weber, was appointed as California's secretary of state in December.

Four Democrats and one Republican competed for the seat, which encompasses southeastern San Diego, La Mesa, Lemon Grove and parts of Chula Vista, Bonita and National City.

The younger Weber, a Democrat, received 52.14 percent of the vote, according to final unofficial election night results released Tuesday by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters. An estimated 9,500 ballots were outstanding.

If Weber's total remains above 50 percent, she will be elected without a runoff. If it falls below 50 percent, she will face Marco Contreras, the only Republican candidate, in a runoff June 8. Contreras received 33.33 percent of the vote, according to the Registrar of Voters.

"Tonight's win and these results are staggering," Weber said in a statement on her website.

"I am deeply honored and humbled by the faith that the voters have placed in me. My campaign is focused on one mission: creating healthier communities for everyone who lives and works in the 79th district.

"Although there are votes yet to be counted, I am eager to start that work restoring economic prosperity, expanding high quality healthcare, investing in education, and protecting our environment. There are innumerable tasks ahead to create an equitable and prosperous California, but together I know that we can achieve these essential ambitions."

Weber is also an obstetrician/gynecologist who founded and serves as director of the Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Division at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego. Contreras is the owner of Rancho Customs Brokers, which provides custom compliance and consulting services.

Of the remaining candidates, who are all Democrats, Leticia Munguia placed third with 8.12 percent of the vote, followed by Shane Suzanne Parmely with 5.19 percent, and Aeiramique Glass Blake with 1.22 percent.

City News Service contributed to this report.