Nora Vargas, a Democrat, currently represents District 1 on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and leads the five-member board as its chair. She lives in Chula Vista. The San Diego Union-Tribune asked Vargas and the other candidates for supervisor for their priorities, plans and positions if elected. Their responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity. Why are you running, and what makes you the best candidate? As chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, I have spent my career fighting for the rights and dignity of the people I serve in our community, and I’m here to deliver real results for all who call San Diego home. Together, we are building healthier and stronger communities, creating equity and justice for all, and working to give everyone a chance to thrive. With nearly three decades of experience in community organizing, advocacy and public service, my roots in San Diego are deep, as is my belief that we can continue to create a more inclusive, prosperous and world-class region. I’m proud to run on my record as a: • Proven leader with nearly three decades of experience • Champion for social and environmental justice • Collaborator with inclusive, community-driven solutions • Passionate public servant for our most vulnerable populations What are the top 3 issues facing this district and the county generally? Creating more affordable housing and addressing homelessness: We must collaborate with state, federal and local partners to create more housing and to secure needed resources to address the homelessness crisis. Ensuring our communities have access to clean air, clean water and clean beaches: Too many communities in San Diego are dealing with air pollution, contaminated water and beaches closed for extended periods. For instance, Imperial Beach has been closed for over 1,000 days due to cross-border pollution. We must collaborate with our binational partners to address and resolve these environmental challenges. Supporting small businesses and our workforce: We need to work together to ensure economic prosperity reaches all communities by supporting local businesses, creating green jobs, and promoting equitable access to resources and opportunities for workers. A thriving economy must benefit everyone. What are the first 3 things you would do in office if elected or re-elected? When re-elected, I will focus on three key priorities: Inclusive economic growth: I will work to ensure economic prosperity reaches all communities by supporting local businesses, creating green jobs and promoting equitable access to resources and opportunities. A thriving economy must benefit everyone. Climate and environmental justice: I am committed to protecting San Diego County’s natural resources by promoting sustainable practices, reducing carbon emissions, and ensuring that all residents have access to clean air, water and healthy environments. Health equity and community well-being: I will advocate for accessible and affordable health care for all, address health disparities, and invest in community infrastructure, like public transportation, parks and community facilities. These investments are crucial to enhancing both physical and mental well-being across our county. Do you support Measure G, the half-cent county sales tax increase that would fund transportation? Why or why not? I support Measure G because it funds essential transportation projects, expands transit access and creates jobs. Many people in my community rely on public transit to get to work and school. This measure will help address historic underinvestments in needed infrastructure, while also helping reduce carbon emissions and air pollution. What more should the county do to combat the region’s housing crisis? San Diego County is facing a housing shortage, and we must prioritize affordable homes for our working- and middle-class families. Last year, I led the board in allocating $14.5 million to the “Removing Barriers to Housing” initiative to support renters and buyers. Our pro-housing designation has unlocked additional funding, enabling us to build more quickly and efficiently. Under my leadership, we’ve invested over $45 million in affordable, multi-family housing and are planning high-density growth in areas with transit access. My commitment is to create affordable housing and invest in infrastructure that connects our residents to essential services. What are your plans for addressing homelessness in San Diego County and in this district specifically? Addressing homelessness requires local, state and federal partners working together, which is why I convened a meeting with all 18 local cities to develop a plan of action. Our county is allocating $98.7 million to support at-risk populations, including $15 million for regional homeless assistance. I’ve expanded affordable housing by 10,000 homes using government land, supported $500 subsidies for at-risk seniors and launched a program that housed over 1,000 veterans. I also created a $10 million recovery action fund, allocated $1.6 million for unsheltered residents at Sweetwater River and secured over $2 million for homeless encampment cleanups. How should public safety and civil liberties be balanced when it comes to homelessness enforcement, behavioral health policy and surveillance? Do you support Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent move to clear encampments? Balancing public safety and civil liberties is essential. Under my leadership, the county established the Office of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities to provide vital resources and behavioral health services to unhoused residents. I also understand the urgency behind Gov. Newsom’s decision to clear encampments. Our approach in San Diego emphasizes collaboration and long-term support to break the cycle of homelessness. Through this work, the county is leading the state in implementing Senate Bill 43 to allow for the treatment of people with mental health conditions. Recent flooding has brought new attention to how the effects of climate change can disproportionately impact poorer neighborhoods and communities of color. How should the county combat this? In historically underinvested communities, climate change impacts are often more severe and disproportionate. To address this, we must prioritize infrastructure improvements in these areas. Following the January 2024 floods, I led the board in allocating $33.2 million for recovery, implementing an eviction moratorium and launching a fee waiver program. We provided lodging, food services, property tax relief and initiated a regional emergency management assessment. Listening to community concerns and investing in practical solutions, such as drainage upgrades, is crucial for safeguarding vulnerable communities from future climate impacts. My leadership ensured rapid and comprehensive responses to these urgent needs. San Diego County jails have had a persistent problem of people dying in them year after year. What more should the county do to keep people in its custody safe? As chair, I’ve made it a priority to ensure our jails are safer after years of neglect. We’re implementing the recommendations from the state audit, improving oversight and increasing resources for mental health and medical care. I’m committed to working closely with the Sheriff’s Department to ensure that every person in our custody is treated with dignity and that our jails are equipped with proper procedures and staff. One death is too many, and I will continue to push for reforms to protect the health and safety of all residents in our county jails. What are your plans for improving transportation options and reducing vehicle emissions in this district and countywide? My plans for improving transportation options and reducing vehicle emissions are rooted in our climate action plan, which focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to renewable energy. I will continue expanding public transportation options, such as the youth opportunity pass, which provides free transit for youth, and advocate for further investments in green infrastructure, like bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly streets. Working with regional partners, I aim to secure additional funding for sustainable development projects and environmental restoration efforts. These initiatives will help reduce our reliance on cars, promote cleaner air and build a more resilient and connected county.