Election News Roundup
Ballots landed in most Del Mar mailboxes yesterday, and Ballot Drop Boxes – one in front of City Hall, and one in the Del Mar Library – stand at the ready to receive completed ballots.
The Sandpiper’s Election 2026 page is now online, where you can find our key election-related news and commentary; we’ll be sending periodic updates throughout the election season.
A roundup of recent campaign and election news:
CANDIDATE FORUM: The four City Council candidates answered a broad range of questions at an October 2 forum at Town Hall, moderated by the League of Women Voters. Watch the video here.
ENDORSEMENTS UPDATE:
The Sandpiper reported on candidate contributions and endorsements on Sept. 25. At that time, endorsement information for Terry Gaasterland was not publicly available; but has since become available on her website. Here is the report, updated to include Gaasterland’s numbers:
Meghan Spieker: 191 endorsements by individuals disclosed. Also endorsed by U.S. Representative Mike Levin, Del Mar Firefighters Local 4163, Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, San Diego County Democratic Party, Torrey Pines Democratic Club, and Sierra Club San Diego.
Jas Grewal: 148 endorsements by individuals disclosed. Also endorsed by U.S. Representatives Mike Levin and Scott Peters, Del Mar Firefighters Local 4163, San Diego County Democratic Party, Torrey Pines Democratic Club, and Sierra Club San Diego.
Terry Gaasterland: 150 endorsements by individuals disclosed. Also endorsed by California Cities for Local Control (“a grassroots organization founded in July 2020.” per its website).
Jeff Sturgis: unknown (no endorsements listed on his website or in campaign eblasts as of 10/6/2026).
“DEL MAR’S REGIONAL INFLUENCE IS ON THE BALLOT”
A strongly-worded message from former Fair Board member and current RSF Democratic Club President, sent to many Del Mar voters on October 4, asserted that over the past few years, “Del Mar has lost respect at the regional level and has struggled to find support from elected officials who have significant power over the city…. The biggest reason is Terry Gaasterland.”
Gelfand was on the Fair Board in February 2025, when the Board “paused” housing negotiations with the City because of public comments Gaasterland made supportive of a rail alignment through the Fairgrounds. He writes that Gaasterland “has left a trail of damaged relationships in her wake,” citing her interactions at SANDAG and the Fair Board.
Gaasterland published a rebuttal on Hershell Price’s Knowledge for the Vote platform, stating, “What Mr. Gelfand alleges is a complete fabrication and the furthest thing from the truth.” She does not, however, rebut Gelfand’s claim that “the people who know her best, her campaign teams from past races and local and national elected officials who had endorsed her in 2022 are not on her side this year.”
Her rebuttal also fails to address a key SANDAG episode that Gelfand cites as an example of how “she has created ill will and lost the confidence” of fellow elected officials. Specifically, Gaasterland joined an orchestrated Republican-led walkout at a SANDAG Board meeting, after substitute motions to elect Poway Mayor Steve Vaus as Vice Chair, and Gaasterland as Chair, failed.
Gelfand’s message is here. Gaasterland’s rebuttal is apparently not available online.