The city of San Diego did not witness the purges in place elsewhere in California, notably during the defeat of the mayor of San Francisco and the district attorney of Los Angeles County. But if city leaders think this week’s election results were just a pat on the back from satisfied San Diegans, they’re kidding themselves. As of Friday evening, Mayor Todd Gloria, City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera and Councilman Stephen Whitburn were all in custody. less than 60% of the vote despite challengers who entered the race with little notoriety, money or institutional support. Tellingly, Gloria’s opponent – ​​San Diego police officer Larry Turner – briefly appeared to be a legitimate threat to oust the mayor after the mayor began receiving substantial donations from wealthy Gloria skeptics. The fact that someone as unqualified as Turner got 45% of the vote shows that Gloria was likely doomed against a better, more conventional candidate.

The focus now turns to the fate of Measure E, the 1-cent increase in sales tax charged within city limits, which would provide $400 million in additional annual funding — an 18 percent increase — for any perceived need of the city. With around 390,000 votes counted, he is behind by 7,032 votes. But citing recent voting trends, some key supporters say they are confident the bill will pass.

If that happens, Gloria has repeatedly pledged to honor his campaign promises and use funding in a targeted manner to address the city’s more than $9 billion infrastructure needs, particularly for improving rainwater. But on October 14 UT report — which describes a majority of council members publicly salivating over which non-essential programs the new revenue could be used for — undermines that narrative. The same goes for the last 30 years of mismanagement by city government. Trusting the town hall means asking for trouble.

It is for this reason that if Measure E passes, taxpayers should immediately begin an effort to qualify a measure for the 2026 ballot that will end the sales tax hike no later than 2031. If leaders elected officials took this possibility seriously, they would be much more likely to do so. manage rising revenues responsibly, knowing they could disappear if they don’t.

This appears to have happened in Chula Vista, where voters easily cast ballots this week approved A 10 year extension of a sales tax increase first approved in 2016 after finding the additional revenue had been used properly. San Diegans need this same protection.