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 Reimer and Supervisor Monica Montgomery Stepp voting “no.” The board then took up the original motion to select Lawson Reimer as chair; that motion also failed after Supervisor Anderson recorded an abstention and Supervisor Desmond voted no.

Public comment before the votes reflected sharp differences. Crystal Irving, president of SEIU Local 221, told the board she and her union support Lawson Reimer and Montgomery Stepp, saying, “we are in support of Tara Lawson Reamer serving as chair of this board as well as, Monica Montgomery Stepp serving as vice chair of this board.” Other speakers urged different outcomes or a special election for the District 1 vacancy; speakers included Cesar Javier, Catherine Rhodes, Allen C., Mark, and callers who alternately criticized and supported board members.

Board staff and members cited the charter and the board’s rules in explaining procedures. County staff noted the charter and the board’s rules of procedure (Rule 5) set the process and that, until a vote selects new officers, the existing officers continue to serve. Andrew Potter, a county staff member, explained the nomination and seconding process before the board voted.

After the failed votes, Vice Chair Tara Lawson Reimer told the board she would continue to preside. Lawson Reimer said, “So as vice chair I will continue to preside as chair of the county board of supervisors and, just as I've done in previous instances when the chair has been absent, I will continue to fulfill fully fulfill all the duties and obligations of this role as described in the county charter.” She invited members of the public to meet with her after the session and said the item will return at a future meeting.

What the board decided and next steps: with no chair selected, the vice chair will continue performing the chair’s duties until supervisors revisit the matter at a later meeting. Board members indicated the leadership question would be taken up again at the next scheduled meeting.

Votes at a glance: two formal motions on chair were voted on during the Jan. 7 session. Motion 1 (Desmond nomination): mover Supervisor Jim Desmond; second Supervisor Joel Anderson; vote — Desmond and Anderson: yes; Lawson Reimer and Montgomery Stepp: no; outcome: failed. Motion 2 (Lawson Reimer nomination): mover Supervisor Monica Montgomery Stepp; second Supervisor Joel Anderson; vote — Lawson Reimer and Montgomery Stepp: yes; Supervisor Desmond: no; Supervisor Anderson: abstain; outcome: failed.

Context and background: the board’s charter and its rules of procedure prescribe officer selection at the first meeting in January or within 30 days of a vacancy; until new officers are chosen, current officers remain in place. The contested selection occurred against a backdrop of extensive public comment: the clerk reported 19 requests to speak on the item (seven in person and 12 by phone). Public remarks on the item ranged from union endorsements to calls for a special election and for different leadership.

The board recessed for other business and said it would return to closed session matters later; supervisors signaled they will bring the chair-selection question back at an upcoming meeting.

(Reporting note: direct quotes and vote tallies come from the Jan. 7, 2025 transcript of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors organizational meeting.)