Early results Tuesday evening showed John McCann ahead in the city's officially nonpartisan mayoral race with 30.88% of the vote, according to the county Registrar of Voters website.
McCann, a Republican, had garnered 7,751 votes as polls closed on Tuesday night. Ammar Campa-Najjar, a Democrat, was in second place with 22.14%, or 5,556 votes.
The two receiving the most votes will advance to November's runoff election.
Jill Galvez was in third place at 20.65% (or 5,183 votes); Zaneta Encarnacion was at 11.42% (2,866 votes); Spencer Cash garnered 7.52% (1,888 votes); Rudy Ramirez stood at 7.38% (1,851 votes); and Christine Brady was at 0.01% with 2 votes.
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For the first time in eight years, Chula Vistans will have a new mayor this fall as they choose from six candidates to replace the termed out Mayor Mary Casillas Salas.
McCann is a city councilman for Chula Vista and deputy mayor. He has been endorsed by the city's Police Officers Association. His focus is on increasing public safety in the city and making it an attractive environment for business.
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Campa-Najjar served in various roles within President Barack Obama's administration, including a public relations position in the Employment & Training Administration. He unsuccessfully ran for Congress in East County, once in 2018 against Rep. Duncan Hunter and again in 2020 against current Rep. Darrell Issa.
He has been endorsed by Chula Vista Firefighters and several local unions. His priorities include the Bayfront development in west Chula Vista and bringing a four-year university to east Chula Vista.
This story is part of NBC 7's live coverage of the 2022 Primary Election in San Diego County. Click here for the live blog
Encarnacion, a Democrat, is the chief of staff at Southwestern College and has endorsements from Casillas Salas, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins and the Democratic Party of San Diego County. Her priorities include economic recovery from COVID-19 and providing more affordable housing in the city's neighborhoods.
Cash is a retired Army major who served two decades as "a medical evacuation helicopter pilot and medical operations officer" and is focused on balancing Chula Vista's budget.
Galvez also serves as a city councilwoman representing northwest Chula Vista and served as deputy mayor in 2020. She serves on the Board of Directors for MTS and the Metropolitan Wastewater Joint Powers Authority. Her priorities include increased public safety, speeding up progress on city issues and ending the toll on State Route 125. She has been endorsed by the San Diego Union-Tribune's editorial board.
Ramirez is a former city councilman and a small-business owner. He last held office in 2015 and unsuccessfully sought a role on the Chula Vista Elementary School District board in 2014 and the city council's District 4 seat in 2016. His priorities include addressing homelessness, stopping domestic violence, developing the city's economy and cross-border relations.
Click here to see preliminary results for San Diego County, state and Congressional races.
