Kristin Gaspar Swears in as Newest San Diego County Supervisor

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – After a close and contentious race, Kristin Gaspar became San Diego County's newest supervisor Monday, replacing incumbent Dave Roberts in a district that represents part of North County.

Voters elected the newcomer in a tight November 2016 race that saw the incumbent cling to a slim lead on election night. The margin dwindled in subsequent counting, however, and once Gaspar took the lead she held it for good – winning by nearly 1,300 votes out of about 229,000 cast.

Gaspar, who represents District 3, became the first candidate to defeat an incumbent on the board in 32 years. Roberts had been the only Democrat on the five-member board.

District 3 covers the coast from Del Mar to Encinitas, stretches east along state Route 52, including Carmel Valley, and includes Interstate 15 from Tierrasanta to Escondido.

The new supervisor said addressing homelessness would be a top priority.

“To combat the rise of homelessness throughout the region, we have to build on a network of individuals committed to resolving this issue through collaboration, through advocacy and through the careful allocation and realignment of the resources,” Gaspar said. “We have to define this goal before we ever enter the water. And we have to keep pushing, we have to keep swimming because we have to meet that goal.”

She said she has discussed a partnership with San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer on solving the problem of homelessness. She conceded that it would be “a major challenge” to resolve the issue.

Prior to joining the board, Gaspar served as mayor of the city of Encinitas. She was elected to the Encinitas City Council in 2010 and became the city’s first elected mayor in 2014. She is also the chief financial officer and business manager for Doctors of Physical Therapy, which has six North County offices.

Supervisor Greg Cox and Supervisor Dianne Jacob were also sworn in during the ceremony at the Board Chambers in the San Diego County Administration Center.

City News Service contributed to this report. / Courtesy photo