Council Candidates by the (Updated) Numbers
The Sandpiper previously reported on “Council Candidates by the Numbers,” using two key metrics to assess candidate strength: fundraising and endorsements. A month later, we have updated numbers showing the candidates’ relative performance.
Yesterday was the deadline for City Council candidates to file updated Campaign Disclosure Statements reporting their contributions, contributors, loans and expenditures through October 17.
Here’s what we learned yesterday about candidates’ contributions – and see below for an apparent campaign violation issue relating to Terry Gaasterland’s campaign disclosures.
Updated endorsement numbers as of Oct. 22:
Meghan Spieker: 240 endorsements by individuals, disclosed on her website. Endorsed by U.S. Representative Mike Levin, Del Mar Firefighters Local 4163, Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, San Diego County Democratic Party, and Sierra Club San Diego.
Jas Grewal: 205 endorsements by individuals, disclosed on her website. Endorsed by U.S. Representatives Mike Levin and Scott Peters, Del Mar Firefighters Local 4163, San Diego County Democratic Party, and Sierra Club San Diego.
Terry Gaasterland: 158 endorsements by individuals, disclosed on her website. By comparison, in her last campaign, on October 9, 2022, she reported 196 endorsements, including 34 “community leaders,” 5 current or past federal/regional elected officials, and 147 “residents and neighbors.” (The other candidates are non-incumbents, so they have no prior endorsement numbers for comparison.)
Jeff Sturgis: unknown (no endorsements listed on his website or campaign eblasts as of 10/22/2026).
A Campaign Law Violation?
On August 9, 2026, Terry Gaasterland sent a mass email through Knowledge for the Vote (KFTV) with the subject line, “Getting Ready for the Next Steps In My Campaign for City Council.” The email included information on how to make a contribution to her campaign or get a campaign yard sign. The bottom of the email had this disclosure: “PAID FOR BY TERRY GAASTERLAND FOR CITY COUNCIL 2026 – FPPC # 1451142.” Yet, Gaasterland’s Form 460 filings have failed to disclose any payment for this or her many other uses of the KFTV mass email service, going back to at least 2020. It appears likely that these mass emails were not actually “paid for” by her campaign. California requires candidates to disclose all campaign payments, as well as nonmonetary (“in kind”) contributions. Hershell Price is the apparent owner of the KFTV platform; since he donated the maximum allowed ($200) to Gaasterland’s 2026 campaign on July 29, 2026, an additional non-monetary contribution to her campaign would be impermissible under Del Mar’s campaign contribution limits.
ENDORSEMENT SHIFTS, 2022 to 2026
U.S. Rep. Mike Levin: Endorsed Gaasterland (and Worden) in 2022. In 2026, endorses Spieker and Grewal.
Sierra Club: Endorsed Gaasterland (and Worden) in 2022. In 2026, endorses Spieker and Grewal.
San Diego County Democratic Party: Endorsed Gaasterland (and Worden) in 2022. In 2026, declined to grant Gaasterland a “friendly incumbent endorsement,” declared the race “critically important,” and endorsed Spieker and Grewal.
Editors Note: The Sandpiper’s November issue, with significant election coverage, is scheduled to land in Del Mar mailboxes by November 1, and will be online on that date. We will also report on significant campaign developments by email and online, throughout the election season.