San Diego County supervisors deadlock on 2025 chair; vice chair to continue presiding

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors failed to select a chair at its Jan. 7, 2025 organizational meeting, leaving Vice Chair Tara Lawson Reimer to continue presiding over the board.

The vote came after public comment and two competing nominations. Supervisor Monica Montgomery Stepp moved to nominate Vice Chair Tara Lawson Reimer as chair with Montgomery Stepp as vice chair; Supervisor Joel Anderson seconded that motion. Supervisor Jim Desmond later moved to nominate himself for chair; Supervisor Anderson seconded the Desmond nomination. Both motions failed on board votes, so no new chair was chosen.

Why it matters: the county charter and the board’s rules of procedure require the board to select officers within 30 days of the start of the year or a vacancy, and leadership determines which supervisor presides over meetings and often influences committee assignments and the board’s work plan in the coming year.

Most important facts first: the Desmond motion was called first and failed on a 2-2 tie, with Supervisor Jim Desmond and Supervisor Joel Anderson voting “aye” and Vice Chair Tara Lawson…