SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas announced Friday she will be leaving elected office, opting not to be sworn in to her second term next month. In a statement Friday, Vargas said her decision to step away from the county board was based on "personal safety and security reasons," but did not specify the reason further. Her last day in office will be Jan. 6, 2025. "It has been my honor to serve in public office during unprecedented times, including the past four years on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors," Vargas said, later thanking her constituents for allowing her to serve as their representative throughout her tenure in politics. Sewage crisis lawsuit meeting takes place in Imperial Beach The supervisor, who was the first person of color and Latina to hold elected office on the board, went on to add her priority "has always been our community, ensuring that everyone can be seen, heard and have a chance to thrive." This emphasis encompassed work like "spearheading disaster response and recovery efforts, navigating the complexities of the pandemic, and driving systemic change so that our government serves all members of our community, not just a select few," her statement said. "As a Guerrera at my core, I remain committed to continuing the fight for equity, justice, and human rights – just in a different capacity," Vargas continued. "I look forward to staying whole-heartedly engaged and active in the pursuit of a more equitable society." Vargas handily won re-election to the seat representing District 1, which spans the southern portions of the county, on the Board of Supervisors back in November. Although the victory was not without conflict between Vargas and her supporters. Weeks before election day, the Imperial Beach Democratic Club quietly rescinded its endorsement of the chair over perceptions over a lack of swift action and mixed messaging on the county's handling of the Tijuana River sewage crisis. Earlier in the year, Vargas had also been entangled in a bitter, convoluted fight with labor leaders over the county's search for its top administrator, after she decided to promote another candidate over their preferred pick. Labor advocates and Vargas allies hurled accusations of racism at the other over a number of remarks, which included the anonymous publication of text messages that appeared to show Vargas and her staff using Mexican slang that degrades Black women. Such vitriol has increasingly spilled over into public comment sessions during Board of Supervisors meetings, with Vargas often ending up on the receiving end of some of the more pointed statements due in part to her position as board chair. This even escalated into a slew of posts on social media in the last week, following the board's vote to approve a new policy that would prevent the county from using its resources to aid federal law enforcement in carrying out certain deportations. Rising threats are driving local officials out of office, new California study shows Under board policies, the supervisors will be required to decide within seven business days of a vacancy opening how they plan to fill it. This could either be by appointment or through a special election sometime next year. Should the board opt for the special election, it will be the second for the board in as many years — the most recent involving the District 4 seat vacated by Vargas' predecessor as board chair, Nathan Fletcher, amid allegations of sexual misconduct. FOX 5/KUSI has reached out to Vargas' four colleagues on the board for statement and is awaiting response from Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer. The offices for Supervisors Monica Montgomery Steppe and Joel Anderson declined to comment. In a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, Supervisor Jim Desmond said, "Never a dull moment at the county," but his office similarly declined to comment further in an email to FOX 5/KUSI. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.