The two Poway City Council candidates — Anita Edmondson and Vanessa Springett — are in what’s expected to be a tight race for the open District 2 seat.
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Edmondson was slightly ahead of Springett in early election results just after the polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Edmondson, with 54.41% of the votes, was leading by 9 percentage points over Springett, who had 45.47% of the votes.
The election fills a vacancy left by former Councilmember Tony Blain, who resigned Nov. 5, one day after residents voted to recall him. He has been accused of vote trading and threatening recalls against his colleagues and was censured twice by the council.
Blain faces felony charges of perjury and bribery, and of destruction or removal of public documents. His preliminary hearing is set for July 22, according to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
In the race to replace him, both candidates said the issues they encountered while campaigning included development and improvements along Poway Road, traffic safety in residential neighborhoods and concerns that an outdoor pickleball facility could be built at The Farm development.
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Edmondson, a former City Council member, was appointed in 2023 to fill a vacancy left by Councilmember Barry Leonard. The 59-year-old said she understands the role and limitations of council members.
“I’ve established myself as a voice of the residents and an independent decision-maker who stands up for residents and reason,” said Edmondson, a business owner and teacher who was one of three members of the Recall Tony Blain campaign.
Springett, 57, said while many Poway residents are happy with their quality of life, those who have been impacted by development may feel their concerns were not considered.
“Running for office is my way of serving those engaged residents while also representing those who care deeply about Poway but may not have the time to attend council meetings because they are busy working and raising families,” said Springett, a mortgage broker with Avalon Mortgage.
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