SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Congressional chief-of-staff Steve Danon conceded Thursday in his battle against Solana Beach Deputy Mayor Dave Roberts to become the first new county supervisor in 17 years.
The latest tallies from the Nov. 6 election showed Danon trailing by about 3,250 votes, according to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters. As of about 4:30 p.m., 120,000 mail-in or provisional ballots still had to be counted.
"As votes continue to be tallied, it is clear that the people have made their decision, and so today I have congratulated Dave Roberts for being elected the next San Diego County supervisor," Danon said.
Longtime Supervisor Pam Slater-Price, whose District 3 stretches from Encinitas to Escondido and includes some Northern San Diego areas, opted not to seek re-election.
Danon and Roberts advanced to a runoff when neither received more than 50 percent of the vote in June primary election. Del Mar Mayor Carl Hilliard; Bryan Ziegler, deputy county counsel; and Stephen Pate, a transportation coordinator in the film industry; were knocked out of the race.
The campaign to replace Slater-Price focused largely on job creation and bolstering the economy.
Danon said the campaign had been long and spirited and the people of San Diego benefited from an open debate on issues important to the region.
He said he has always felt a need to give back to the region, whether by coaching Little League teams, serving on boards of San Diego organizations, supporting nonprofits or cleaning up beaches.
"I assure you that I plan to continue to serve in some capacity moving forward," Danon said, adding that included offering his assistance to Roberts.
"I wish the best to the man who was formerly my opponent, and I ask all San Diego County residents to join me in supporting the incoming supervisor so that our region remains one where families can thrive, businesses can flourish, and government keeps its place as a small but transparent supporter of our quality of life," he said.
