Early unofficial results for Tuesday’s election show a half-cent sales tax increase failing in Santee, while the mayor and a City Council member appear to be well ahead of their challengers. Measure S would raise the sales tax in the city by a half-cent for 15 years to support fire protection and emergency response services, including new strategically located fire stations. Santee has not had a new station since 1964. In the mayoral race, two-term incumbent and former San Diego Police detective John Minto had a solid early lead over his only challenger, Kelli O’Brien, a file clerk and receptionist. In the District 4 City Council race, incumbent and TDT Construction owner Dustin Trotter was well ahead of August Scalzitti, a former director of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. Trotter’s election to the council in 2020 was among the closest in the county’s history, with the final tally showing he won by only five votes. Infrastructure and traffic had been among the top priorities of the candidates during this year’s campaign. In his mayoral re-election bid, Minto said his accomplishments included securing funds to ease congestion on state Route 52 and southbound Interstate 15 to eastbound SR-52. O’Brien declined to be interviewed by The San Diego Union-Tribune but in other interviews had said she is focused on accountability and safety as top priorities. Trotter said that during his time on the council, the city had invested $44 million in road repairs and capital improvements, the largest amount ever spent by the city. Scalzitti also listed traffic and high-density housing as priorities in his campaign. Incumbent Councilmember Laura Koval also was on the ballot, but ran unopposed to represent District 3.