By Miriam Raftery

Times of San Diego and Voice of San Diego contributed to this report

Photo by Chris Stone, Times of San Diego: Nora Vargas at a 2022 rally

December 20, 2024 (San Diego)—In an announcement that surprised even her staff, San Diego County Supervisors’ Chair Nora Vargas today announced she will step down January 6 at the end of her term, despite winning reelection in November with 62.5% of the votes.

“Due to personal and security reasons, I will not take the oath of office for a second term,” Vargas said, Times of San Diego reports.

By Miriam Raftery

June 8, 2024 (Spring Valley) – Nora Vargas, Chair of the San Diego County Board of Superivsors, announced yesterday that she has rescinded approval of plans to build 150 sleeping cabins in Spring Valley, after hearing concerns of neighboring residents.

“I understand concerns expressed by residents about putting these cabins near schoolsand parks where children play,and believe that we can find better,more thoughtful solutions by working with affected commuities,” a statement from Vargas read in part.

Supervisors voted 4-0 in March (with Supervisor Joel Anderson absent) to approve building the sleeping cabins on  Jamacha Road.

By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 27, 2024 (San Diego) -- County officials provided an update today on recovery efforts after the unprecedented storm earlier this week that deluged various communities in the region with more than two inches of rain in just two hours.

“We are bringing together the city, county and state resources to help those that need it the most,” said Chairwoman Nora Vargas, San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “To all those that have been impacted, I want to make sure you know we are doing everything we can to bring you the resources you need and to make sure we help you as you recover from this natural disaster.”

Chairwoman Vargas also announced she was postponing the State of the County address. Instead she will host a “Day of Service” for San Diego flood victims.

Photo: Anti-Semitic graffiti at San Diego State University in 2021

March 14,2023 (San Diego) --The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution introduced by Supervisor Nathan Fletcher and Vice Chair Terra Lawson-Remer to denounce antisemitic rhetoric and hate crimes targeting Jewish people in San Diego County.

In 2021, the Jewish community in San Diego experienced 38 recorded incidents of antisemitism, including 14 cases of vandalism, 23 incidents of harassment, and one assault. In 2020 the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported a 6 percent increase in hate crimes from the previous year, representing the highest total in 12 years, and found that attacks against Jews or Jewish institutions made up nearly 60 percent of all religious-based hate crimes.  

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by José Eli Villanueva:  Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas delivers the 2023 State of the County Address from the Waterfront Park outside the County Administration Center.

February 9, 2023 (San Diego) - County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas gave her first State of the County address during an evening presentation Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Supervisors Joel Anderson and Vice Chair Nora Vargas brought forward Tuesday’s board action

Photo:  in anticipation of Tuesday’s vote, Supervisor Anderson (left, at podium) and Vice Chair Vargas (right) hosted a press conference along with Deborah Norwood Ruane (center-right), founder of the Middlemarch Fund, Lori Holt Pfeiler (center), CEO of Building Industry Association, and Angeli Calinog Hoyos (center-left), Public Affairs Manager at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

October 1, 2022 (San Diego) - At the Tuesday, September 27^th meeting, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a board letter, put forth by County Supervisor Joel Anderson (District 2) and Vice Chair Nora Vargas (District 1), that will direct County staff to develop a pilot workforce housing program.

By Miriam Raftery

View video of Supervisor Joel Anderson’s remarks during swearing-in ceremony outlining his priorities

January 4, 2021 (San Diego) – For the first time in decades, San Diego County has three new Supervisors, including Joel Anderson, who now represents most of East County. He replaces Dianne Jacob. who stepped down due to term limits after 28 years of service in District 2.