Political Analyst John Dadian - 10news New year will bring local political change

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- The year 2020 will be one of political change in the San Diego region.

County voters will elect at least two new members of Congress, two new supervisors, and the city of San Diego will get a new mayor.

The changes should begin will before the March primary.

That's because many expect East County Congressman Duncan Hunter to step down in January. On Dec. 3, he pleaded guilty to one felony count of campaign fraud and said he would resign after the holidays.

Additionally, Congresswoman Susan Davis, who represents a central San Diego County district, announced she would not seek re-election after 20 years of service.

While Davis and Hunter are leaving their seats voluntarily - albeit for different reasons - a handful of key local officials don't have the choice because of term limits.

"It's having a huge impact on everything from the finances of the county and the city to social issues, et cetera," said political analyst John Dadian.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer is termed out, as are longtime county supervisors Dianne Jacob and Greg Cox.

All three are Republicans, but recent trends in voter registration show Democratic candidates are more likely to win the mayor's race and pick up at least one seat on the Board of Supervisors.

Dadian said the main issue in most races comes down to registration.

The top two vote-getters in the March 3 primary, regardless of party, will move on to the November runoff.

Lastly, voters in the city of San Diego will be asked to raise the tourist tax by as much as 3.25 percent to fund expanding the convention center, homeless services and street repair. That initiative requires a two-thirds vote.