By Miriam Raftery
November 6, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Sitivi “Steve” Faia has pulled ahead of Councilman George Gastil in the Lemon Grove City Council race, where four candidates are vying for two seats. Jessyka Heredia remains in the lead with 28.86% of the votes counted, followed by Faia, a youth sports coach, with 25.40% and 2,410 votes. Gastil, at 25.16% trails Faia by just 23 votes, leaving open the potential for yet another shift as more votes are tallied.
Planning Commission Chair Seth Smith is in fourth place with 20.58% and 1,952 votes.
In the Mayoral race, Councilmember Alysson Snow retains a strong lead with 39.87%. Mayor Racquel Vasquez has 31.19% and Councilmember LeBaron has 28.94%.
Countywide, 590,000 votes remain to be counted, but it is unclear how many of those are in Lemon Grove.
Mayor Vasquez issued a statement thanking voters and volunteers."Together, we built a stronger connection with each other, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished," she said, voicing gratitude for conversations and insights on the city's issues such as the economy, infrastructure, and public safety—feedback that has played a key role in shaping my vision for Lemon Grove.
"Lemon Grove is rooted in community and growing with a bounty of opportunity!," her statement continued. It was an honor to highlight the progress we've made with my leadership. As your Mayor, I’ve led efforts to expand affordable housing, ensure fiscal responsibility, improve infrastructure, and enhance public safety. These achievements represent our shared commitment to creating a city where all residents can live and thrive. As we await the final election results in the coming weeks, my dedication to Lemon Grove remains as strong as ever. Whatever the outcome, we’re on a shared path toward a brighter future, and the work continues...Let’s keep working together to build a stronger, more vibrant Lemon Grove for all.”