Sandpiper Update: Gaasterland loses Democratic endorsement bid

On Saturday, January 17, an effort by Councilmember Terry Gaasterland to win a “friendly incumbent endorsement” from the San Diego County Party’s North Coastal Area caucus ended in a vote NOT to grant her the endorsement. This was a key endorsement Gaasterland won for the 2022 election. Four years later, the outcome is starkly different. Reports are that the vote was unanimous to deny her an endorsement for the 2026 election.

Instead, the North Coastal Area caucus voted to rate the Del Mar City Council seat as “Strategically Critical,” which allows for the endorsement of another Democrat in this race. The “Strategically Cricial” rating is on the consent calendar for approval at the San Diego County Democratic Party’s Central Committee meeting tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan. 20th).

Since the North Coastal Area includes elected officials who serve on the SANDAG board, this vote could be read to undermine Gaasterland’s claim, at the January 6, 2026 Council meeting, that she has “built up strong constructive relationships with other board members” that justify her continued service as Del Mar’s primary representative to SANDAG.