SUNTORY COLLECTION

Del Mar ballot measures both set to win big, council race remains unchanged

With almost all votes counted as of Nov. 15, the Del Mar council and ballot measure results have been unchanged since the initial returns on Election Day. Councilmember Tracy Martinez continues to lead the three-candidate race for three seats in a noncompetitive City Council race. Del Mar Planning Commissioner John Spelich has the second most votes and Councilmember Dan Quirk, who has been censured twice by the council, is in third. Martinez and Quirk will both be entering their second terms. Spelich wil

Del Mar ballot measures both set to win big, council race remains unchanged + ' Main Photo'

With almost all votes counted as of Nov. 15, the Del Mar council and ballot measure results have been unchanged since the initial returns on Election Day.

Councilmember Tracy Martinez continues to lead the three-candidate race for three seats in a noncompetitive City Council race. Del Mar Planning Commissioner John Spelich has the second most votes and Councilmember Dan Quirk, who has been censured twice by the council, is in third.

Martinez and Quirk will both be entering their second terms. Spelich will replace Councilmember Dave Druker, who did not seek reelection.

About two-thirds of Del Mar voters said yes on Measure A, which will raise council member pay from its longtime $300 per month base to $950 and a $400 per month contribution toward health insurance.

More than 70% of Del Mar voters are on track to approve Measure M, which extends the city’s transient occupancy tax to short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs. The city estimates that it will generate about $775,000 per year in revenue.

Del Mar voters might also be voting again next year in a special election to fill the seat vacated in September by the sudden resignation of Dwight Worden. At their Nov. 18 meeting, council members will decide whether to have an all-mail ballot special election, which, at an estimated $150,000 to $225,000, would cost the city a little less than an election that includes in-person voting.

The City Council has tried and failed twice to appoint someone to fill the seat, but was deadlocked 2 to 2 on two separate attempts in October. After the second attempt, the council voted to have city staff prepare a resolution to hold the mail-only special election. According to a meeting agenda released this week, city staff is recommending a May 6, 2025, election date.

The city has until Nov. 23 to appoint a replacement or call a special election, based on state law that sets a deadline relative to the date of Wordens resignation. If council members don’t approve the resolution and still can’t agree on an appointee, then the seat could remain vacant until 2026.