On this week’s episode, the VOSD Podcast crew starts with the growth of San Diego's Democratic Socialists chapter and a close mayor's race in Vista. Then they look at the effort to recall Mayor Todd Gloria.

They also dig into the county's Measure A, which expands supervisors' powers, and Measure B, the half-cent sales tax hike meant to fund sewage fixes and other services. The episode wraps with an update on Midway Rising.

We are going to be LIVE at Soda Bar this Tuesday, Nov. 10, for our live podcast recording. To check out tickets go to voiceofsandiego.org/events.

On this week&rsquo;s episode, the VOSD Podcast crew starts with the growth of San Diego's Democratic Socialists chapter and a close mayor's race in Vista. Then they look at the effort to recall Mayor Todd Gloria.
They also dig into the county's Measure A, which expands supervisors' powers, and Measure B, the half-cent sales tax hike meant to fund sewage fixes and other services. The episode wraps with an update on Midway Rising.
We are going to be LIVE at Soda Bar this Tuesday, Nov. 10, for our live podcast recording. To check out tickets go to <a href="http://voiceofsandiego.org/events">voiceofsandiego.org/events</a>.

Vista, the Socialist Hotspot 

Voice of San Diego's election night special, recorded live as the first partial results came in. Scott Lewis, Bella Ross, Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña and Jakob McWhinney, joined by Times of San Diego's Andy Keatts, go back through the races they drafted: San Diego City Council districts 2, 4 and 8, the El Cajon and National City mayor races, the Grossmont Union High School District board, Congressional District 48, and the county and statewide ballot measures. Counts were early and incomplete when this was recorded and will keep changing.

Sign up for free newsletters: voiceofsandiego.org/newsletters

0:00 Welcome to election night and the return of Election Central
5:28 City Council District 8
10:50 City Council District 4
21:32 City Council District 2
28:25 El Cajon mayor
36:37 Congressional District 48
40:17 National City mayor
41:58 Grossmont Union High School District board
46:05 County Measures B and A
53:03 Statewide ballot measures
1:00:32 Local tax vote rules and wrap-up

Voice of San Diego's election night special, recorded live as the first partial results came in. Scott Lewis, Bella Ross, Andrea Sanchez-Villafa&ntilde;a and Jakob McWhinney, joined by Times of San Diego's Andy Keatts, go back through the races they drafted: San Diego City Council districts 2, 4 and 8, the El Cajon and National City mayor races, the Grossmont Union High School District board, Congressional District 48, and the county and statewide ballot measures. Counts were early and incomplete when this was recorded and will keep changing.
Sign up for free newsletters: voiceofsandiego.org/newsletters
0:00 Welcome to election night and the return of Election Central 5:28 City Council District 8 10:50 City Council District 4 21:32 City Council District 2 28:25 El Cajon mayor 36:37 Congressional District 48 40:17 National City mayor 41:58 Grossmont Union High School District board 46:05 County Measures B and A 53:03 Statewide ballot measures 1:00:32 Local tax vote rules and wrap-up

VOSD Podcast LIVE: 2026 Election Results show

Election Day is almost here and the podcast crew draft their picks for the most interesting races to watch. 

But first! The podcast crew reviews Nathan Fielder’s new documentary on Elizabeth Holmes, “You Can See Everything.” Spoiler alert: Our hosts talk about their favorite weird moments in the doc. 

Each host picks two races to watch, and host Bella Ross brings out her tarot cards to assist. In San Diego City Council District 4, both Councilmember Henry Foster and challenger Martha Abraham are keeping their distance from the mayor, and the crew says it’s something they’ve never seen in 25 years of covering local politics. In District 2, Richard Bailey and Nicole Crosby supporters are fighting a bitter mailer battle and some mailers included misleading information. The picks also include a  fight between two Democrats, candidates trying to turn social media likes into votes, South County mayor races, Measure B (the county’s half-cent sales tax increase), and Proposition 40, the billionaire tax.

Come see us record the show on November 10 at Soda Bar! Go to voiceofsandiego.org/events to get your tickets.

0:00 Scott takes umbrage!
3:35 Movie talk: Nathan Fielder's Elizabeth Holmes documentary (spoilers)
20:38 How the election draft works
21:23 Andrea's pick: District 8 City Council
28:32 Jakob's pick: District 4 City Council
35:35 Scott's pick: District 2 City Council (Bailey vs. Crosby)
45:09 Bella's pick: the social media candidates
55:20 Andrea's second pick: South County mayor races
59:42 Jakob's second pick
1:05:01 Scott's second pick: Measure B, the county sales tax
1:12:38 Bella's second pick: Prop 40, the billionaire tax
1:19:30 Wrap-up and a PSA on how election night counts work
1:21:07 Next live show: Nov. 10 at Soda Bar

Election Day is almost here and the podcast crew draft their picks for the most interesting races to watch.&nbsp;
But first! The podcast crew reviews Nathan Fielder&rsquo;s new documentary on Elizabeth Holmes, &ldquo;You Can See Everything.&rdquo; Spoiler alert: Our hosts talk about their favorite weird moments in the doc.&nbsp;
Each host picks two races to watch, and host Bella Ross brings out her tarot cards to assist. In San Diego City Council District 4, both Councilmember Henry Foster and challenger Martha Abraham are keeping their distance from the mayor, and the crew says it&rsquo;s something they&rsquo;ve never seen in 25 years of covering local politics. In District 2, Richard Bailey and Nicole Crosby supporters are fighting a bitter mailer battle and some mailers included misleading information. The picks also include a &nbsp;fight between two Democrats, candidates trying to turn social media likes into votes, South County mayor races, Measure B (the county&rsquo;s half-cent sales tax increase), and Proposition 40, the billionaire tax.
Come see us record the show on November 10 at Soda Bar! Go to voiceofsandiego.org/events to get your tickets.
0:00 Scott takes umbrage! 3:35 Movie talk: Nathan Fielder's Elizabeth Holmes documentary (spoilers) 20:38 How the election draft works 21:23 Andrea's pick: District 8 City Council 28:32 Jakob's pick: District 4 City Council 35:35 Scott's pick: District 2 City Council (Bailey vs. Crosby) 45:09 Bella's pick: the social media candidates 55:20 Andrea's second pick: South County mayor races 59:42 Jakob's second pick 1:05:01 Scott's second pick: Measure B, the county sales tax 1:12:38 Bella's second pick: Prop 40, the billionaire tax 1:19:30 Wrap-up and a PSA on how election night counts work 1:21:07 Next live show: Nov. 10 at Soda Bar

Greatest Election Preview Podcast Ever

Campaign season is getting strange in San Diego. 

This week, Scott Lewis, Bella Ross and Jakob McWhinney started with a run of new signs in Ocean Beach that tie a San Diego City Council candidate to Mayor Todd Gloria and why that is a bad thing. 

Data Center Madness

Reporter MacKenzie Elmer broke some news on a project at the Navy’s NAVWAR site near the airport. She found that the developer asked San Diego Community Power what it would cost to run a 400-megawatt data center there. The mayor has since signed an executive order calling for a moratorium on data centers. But the Navy controls the land, so the city’s options to stop the project are limited.

McWhinney also covered a City Council committee’s unanimous vote to advance a plan to cancel the city’s Flock license plate reader contract and tighten its surveillance ordinance. A veto-proof majority needs six votes, and supporters currently have five. Last, a late amendment to the Midway Rising plan could change how much new affordable housing the project actually delivers.

Also: We’re recording a live show at Soda Bar on Nov. 10. Details are at voiceofsandiego.org/events.

Campaign season is getting strange in San Diego.&nbsp;
This week, Scott Lewis, Bella Ross and Jakob McWhinney started with a run of new signs in Ocean Beach that tie a San Diego City Council candidate to Mayor Todd Gloria and why that is a bad thing.&nbsp;
Data Center Madness
Reporter <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/10/15/manchester-group-pitches-massive-data-center-at-the-navwar-site/">MacKenzie Elmer broke some news on a project at the Navy&rsquo;s NAVWAR site near the airport</a>. She found that the developer asked San Diego Community Power what it would cost to run a 400-megawatt data center there. The mayor has since signed an executive order calling for a moratorium on data centers. But the Navy controls the land, so the city&rsquo;s options to stop the project are limited.
McWhinney also covered a <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/10/21/council-takes-first-step-toward-cancelling-flock-contract/">City Council committee&rsquo;s unanimous vote to advance a plan to cancel the city&rsquo;s Flock license plate reader contract</a> and tighten its surveillance ordinance. A veto-proof majority needs six votes, and supporters currently have five. Last, a late amendment to the Midway Rising plan could change how much new affordable housing the project actually delivers.
Also: We&rsquo;re recording a live show at Soda Bar on Nov. 10. Details are at voiceofsandiego.org/events.

What the Flock, NAVWAR?

On this week's episode of the VOSD Podcast, we were joined by state Assemblymember Chris Ward to discuss a host of issues we are facing today.

Also, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria announced this week that he is hiring a chief operating officer. His choice is Bethany Bezak, the city’s chief of analytics and performance. The decision reverses months of insistence that he would run city operations himself. 

A Conversation with Chris Ward 

Midway Rising, the proposed redevelopment of 50 acres of city land at the sports arena site, seems to be one step closer to reality.

Assemblymember Ward explained why he supported state legislation shielding the project’s environmental review from lawsuits, which he said could otherwise delay it by years. 

The episode also covered a story that broke the morning of the recording. Public records show a development firm floated a 400-megawatt data center on the Navy’s NAVWAR property near Midway. It would be the largest in California.

Ward also discussed his surveillance pricing bill, which he plans to reintroduce in December, and a renewed push for the City Council to cancel the city’s Flock license plate reader contract amid privacy concerns. Ward also outlined the challenge of regulating artificial intelligence at the state level, and he highlighted a new journalism tax credit he helped pass.

On this week's episode of the VOSD Podcast, we were joined by state Assemblymember Chris Ward to discuss a host of issues we are facing today.
Also, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria announced this week that he is hiring a chief operating officer. His choice is Bethany Bezak, the city&rsquo;s chief of analytics and performance. The decision reverses months of insistence that he would run city operations himself.&nbsp;
A Conversation with Chris Ward&nbsp;
Midway Rising,<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/10/15/midway-rising-may-not-create-2000-net-new-affordable-homes/"> the proposed redevelopment of 50 acres of city land at the sports arena site</a>, seems to be one step closer to reality.
Assemblymember Ward explained why he supported state legislation shielding the project&rsquo;s environmental review from lawsuits, which he said could otherwise delay it by years.&nbsp;
The episode also covered a story that broke the morning of the recording. Public records show a development firm floated a <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/10/15/manchester-group-pitches-massive-data-center-at-the-navwar-site/">400-megawatt data center on the Navy&rsquo;s NAVWAR property</a> near Midway. It would be the largest in California.
Ward also discussed his surveillance pricing bill, which he plans to reintroduce in December, and a renewed push for the City Council to cancel the city&rsquo;s Flock license plate reader contract amid privacy concerns. Ward also outlined the challenge of regulating artificial intelligence at the state level, and he highlighted a new journalism tax credit he helped pass.

Midway Rising Week with Chris Ward

San Diego City Council District 2 candidates Nicole Crosby and Richard Bailey debate at Politifest 2026, moderated by Voice of San Diego's Scott Lewis. Each opens with a presentation on housing, homelessness, infrastructure and the city budget. They then take on short-term rentals, where to build, Midway Rising, the Ocean Beach Pier, trash collection and pensions.

San Diego City Council District 2 candidates Nicole Crosby and Richard Bailey debate at Politifest 2026, moderated by Voice of San Diego's Scott Lewis. Each opens with a presentation on housing, homelessness, infrastructure and the city budget. They then take on short-term rentals, where to build, Midway Rising, the Ocean Beach Pier, trash collection and pensions.

Politifest 2026: San Diego City Council, District 2: Bailey vs. Crosby

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton joins Voice of San Diego's Scott Lewis, Jakob McWhinney and Bella Ross at Politifest 2026 for a wide-ranging conversation. Topics include his path to winning, immigration enforcement, housing, environmental review, energy and climate, and AI policy. The session ends with audience and student questions.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton joins Voice of San Diego's Scott Lewis, Jakob McWhinney and Bella Ross at Politifest 2026 for a wide-ranging conversation. Topics include his path to winning, immigration enforcement, housing, environmental review, energy and climate, and AI policy. The session ends with audience and student questions.

Politifest 2026: Steve Hilton talks to the VOSD Podcast crew 

On the latest episode of the VOSD Podcast, our hosts explain why the mayor's support may be unwelcome assistance to one City Council candidate. Plus, a recap of Politifest.

First up! We revealed that Mayor Todd Gloria is working behind the scenes to make sure that Councilmember Henry Foster does not get re-elected.

As our editors wrote in the Politics report, the mayor "has described Foster’s downfall to them as his No. 1 political priority."

Our podcasts hosts explain why that support may not be something candidate Martha Abraham wants. She's running against Foster as an outsider who is fighting the establishment forces.

Behind voice: Our managing editor takes some time on the show to explain how Voice of San Diego reporters and editors handle anonymous sourcing and corrections.

Finally, our hosts pull clips from Politifest and breakdown some of the most interesting discussions from our annual event.

 

On the latest episode of the VOSD Podcast, our hosts explain why the mayor's support may be unwelcome assistance to one City Council candidate. Plus, a recap of Politifest.
First up! We revealed that Mayor Todd Gloria is working behind the scenes to make sure that Councilmember Henry Foster does not get re-elected.
As our <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/10/03/mayor-pushes-for-councilmembers-opponent/">editors wrote in the Politics report</a>, the mayor "has described Foster&rsquo;s downfall to them as his No. 1 political priority."
Our podcasts hosts explain why that support may not be something candidate Martha Abraham wants. She's running against Foster as an outsider who is fighting the establishment forces.
Behind voice: Our managing editor takes some time on the show to explain how Voice of San Diego reporters and editors handle anonymous sourcing and corrections.
Finally, our hosts pull clips from Politifest and breakdown some of the most interesting discussions from our annual event.
&nbsp;

The Mayor's Unwelcome Assistance

On this week's episode of the VOSD Podcast reporter Bella Ross went down a rabbit hole involving an Avengers ad on the Gaslamp sign. For six days, you couldn't even see the Gaslamp sign — Marvel covered it with a massive wrap for "Avengers: Doomsday." Turns out, that's illegal. San Diego city officials have fined advertisers for building wraps for years, and the companies usually just eat the cost. But the fee against this marvel ad was a record-breaking $160,000.

So, who approved it? Bella dug in. The city is questioning the Gaslamp Quarter Association's director over allegations that he may have given the ad agency a green light he wasn’t supposed to — and possibly took $10,000 to do it. He's denying he approved anything. The Association has until Oct. 9 to respond, and the city could pull the association’s contract with the city over it. 

The trash fee saga got worse, too. We knew the city overcharged thousands of residents for trash collection on their property tax bills, but  it turns out a spreadsheet error also led to some being undercharged.  Those who were overcharged are getting new bills, but the city will have to figure out how to get additional fees from those who were undercharged since a state law prevents them from sending updated property tax bills. Candidates running for City Council weighed in on the fiasco and they all agreed on one thing: The city needs to hire someone to run the city's operations. 

Sacramento also handed Midway Rising a win with Gov. Gavin Newsom signing a bill that protects the project  from environmental lawsuits. Midway Rising still has a long way to go, but this was an important step. .

Our hosts also preview Politifest and who has dropped out. 

0:00 PolitiFest Jitters & Turning 50
1:18 Show Intro & Teases: Avengers News, Getting Ghosted
2:43 PolitiFest Preview: Sessions & Guests
3:02 District 4 Shakeup
4:58 Henry Foster Stays In
9:43 El Cajon City Council Debate Still On
12:28 The Avengers Sign Scoop: Illegal Gaslamp Billboard
22:20 A Walk Through Downtown
35:38 Trash Fee Fiasco, Part 2: The Undercharge Problem
40:16 Council Candidates Agree: Hire a City COO
41:21 Mayor Gloria's Cross-Country Mayors Tour
44:10 Midway Rising Clears a Legal Hurdle in Sacramento
46:24 Politifest Preview: The Measure B Showdown
50:08 The Future of the Democratic Party Panel

On this week's episode of the VOSD Podcast reporter Bella Ross went down a rabbit hole involving an Avengers ad on the Gaslamp sign. For six days, you couldn't even see the Gaslamp sign &mdash; Marvel covered it with a massive wrap for "Avengers: Doomsday." Turns out, that's illegal. San Diego city officials have fined advertisers for building wraps for years, and the companies usually just eat the cost. But the fee against this marvel ad was a record-breaking $160,000.
So, who approved it? Bella dug in. The city is questioning the Gaslamp Quarter Association's director over allegations that he may have given the ad agency a green light he wasn&rsquo;t supposed to &mdash; and possibly took $10,000 to do it. He's denying he approved anything. The Association has until Oct. 9 to respond, and the city could pull the association&rsquo;s contract with the city over it.&nbsp;
The trash fee saga got worse, too. We knew the city overcharged thousands of residents for trash collection on their property tax bills, but &nbsp;it turns out a spreadsheet error also led to some being undercharged. &nbsp;Those who were overcharged are getting new bills, but the city will have to figure out how to get additional fees from those who were undercharged since a state law prevents them from sending updated property tax bills. Candidates running for City Council weighed in on the fiasco and they all agreed on one thing: The city needs to hire someone to run the city's operations.&nbsp;
Sacramento also handed Midway Rising a win with Gov. Gavin Newsom signing a bill that protects the project &nbsp;from environmental lawsuits. Midway Rising still has a long way to go, but this was an important step. .
Our hosts also preview Politifest and who has dropped out.&nbsp;
0:00 PolitiFest Jitters &amp; Turning 50 1:18 Show Intro &amp; Teases: Avengers News, Getting Ghosted 2:43 PolitiFest Preview: Sessions &amp; Guests 3:02 District 4 Shakeup 4:58 Henry Foster Stays In 9:43 El Cajon City Council Debate Still On 12:28 The Avengers Sign Scoop: Illegal Gaslamp Billboard 22:20 A Walk Through Downtown 35:38 Trash Fee Fiasco, Part 2: The Undercharge Problem 40:16 Council Candidates Agree: Hire a City COO 41:21 Mayor Gloria's Cross-Country Mayors Tour 44:10 Midway Rising Clears a Legal Hurdle in Sacramento 46:24 Politifest Preview: The Measure B Showdown 50:08 The Future of the Democratic Party Panel

The Other Avengers

Thousands of San Diego residents recently discovered that the city had mistakenly overcharged people for trash pickup on their property tax bills.

The San Diego Union-Tribune was the first to report the story. 

On this week's show, our hosts discuss how officials are responding. 

Many residents are blaming the mayor and a lot of people want answers. Meanwhile, councilmembers are questioning Mayor Todd Gloria's leadership. 

Are you ready for the election? The episode also digs into this cycle's competitive City Council races. There are two open seats and two incumbents fighting to keep their positions from political newcomers. 

We are hosting a debate between the candidates for City Council District 2 and 4. And our journalists will lead two separate conversations with candidates running for District 6 and 8. Those sessions are going down at Politifest on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Follow Voice of San Diego on Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube, and read more at voiceofsandiego.org. Tickets for Politifest are up now at vosd.org/pf26.

We need 30 pod people to donate $50 to meet our $1,500 match. Show the power of the pod people and donate today to help us meet our match. Go to vosd.org/podpeople.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/voiceofsandiego

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/voiceofsandiego

Website: https://voiceofsandiego.org

Politifest: https://vosd.org/pf26

0:00 Trash Fee Billing Fiasco & Court Settlement
4:43 "Do the Basics Right" – Council Pushback
8:19 The Mayor's Fix & Accountability Language
37:28 Housing Op-Ed: "Half-Baked Solutions" & ADUs
42:33 Trump Ties & Immigration Enforcement Comments
44:41 How This Race Compares to Past City Fights
46:07 Voter Frustration With City Hall

Thousands of San Diego residents recently discovered that the city had mistakenly overcharged people for trash pickup on their property tax bills.
The San Diego Union-Tribune was the first to report the story.&nbsp;
On this week's show, our hosts discuss how officials are responding.&nbsp;
Many residents are blaming the mayor and a lot of people want answers. Meanwhile, councilmembers are questioning Mayor Todd Gloria's leadership.&nbsp;
Are you ready for the election? The episode also digs into this cycle's competitive City Council races. There are two open seats and two incumbents fighting to keep their positions from political newcomers.&nbsp;
We are hosting a debate between the candidates for City Council District 2 and 4. And our journalists will lead two separate conversations with candidates running for District 6 and 8. Those sessions are going down at Politifest on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Follow Voice of San Diego on Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube, and read more at voiceofsandiego.org. Tickets for Politifest are up now at vosd.org/pf26.
We need 30 pod people to donate $50 to meet our $1,500 match. Show the power of the pod people and donate today to help us meet our match. Go to vosd.org/podpeople.
Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/voiceofsandiego">https://instagram.com/voiceofsandiego</a>
Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/voiceofsandiego/">https://www.facebook.com/voiceofsandiego/</a>
X:&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/voiceofsandiego">https://x.com/voiceofsandiego</a>
LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/voice-of-san-diego">https://www.linkedin.com/company/voice-of-san-diego</a>
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Website: <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org">https://voiceofsandiego.org</a>
Politifest:&nbsp;<a href="https://vosd.org/pf26">https://vosd.org/pf26</a>
0:00 Trash Fee Billing Fiasco &amp; Court Settlement 4:43 "Do the Basics Right" &ndash; Council Pushback 8:19 The Mayor's Fix &amp; Accountability Language 37:28 Housing Op-Ed: "Half-Baked Solutions" &amp; ADUs 42:33 Trump Ties &amp; Immigration Enforcement Comments 44:41 How This Race Compares to Past City Fights 46:07 Voter Frustration With City Hall

Regrettable Errors

This is Voice of San Diego’s weekly spitfire roundup of news. We cover local and regional politics, the environment, education, the border and more. This show features our investigative reporting and interviews with lawmakers and other special guests.

This is Voice of San Diego&rsquo;s weekly spitfire roundup of news. We cover local and regional politics, the environment, education, the border and more. This show features our investigative reporting and interviews with lawmakers and other special guests.

Voice of San Diego Podcast

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