The first wave of vote tallies in the San Diego city council contests produced a clear early advantage for one incumbent and a competitive, tight race for another. In District 6, Kent Lee holds a notable lead, while in District 4 the count shows Henry Foster III narrowly behind challenger Martha Abraham.

As of the updated count at 3:37 a.m. June 3 2026, Abraham led the District 4 field with 40.4% of reported votes, while Foster trailed close behind with 38.4%. In District 6, Lee led his lone challenger, Mark Powell, with 55% to Powell’s 44.5%. Those percentages reflect Early returns and party watchers cautioned that the picture could evolve as more ballots are processed.

What the numbers mean for each district

District 4, which covers large parts of southeastern San Diego, has become the focus of a three-way contest in which two challengers sought to unseat Foster. The early advantage by Abraham — a neonatal intensive care nurse by profession — points to energized support in parts of the district, but the gap is small enough that further counting could change the outlook.

District 6 encompasses neighborhoods such as Mira Mesa, Kearny Mesa, Scripps Ranch, University City and Sorrento Valley. In that contest, Lee’s lead over Powell is substantial in early returns, suggesting stronger margins in precincts that reported first. Still, Lee himself described the position as cautiously optimistic.

Incumbent reactions

Speaking after returns were posted, Lee said, “I mean we feel confident, but it’s early”, and later added that while his team was content with initial numbers, the campaign would press forward to connect with more voters: “We’re happy with where we are tonight and we feel confident going into November, but I think for us it’s a sign we need to do more work to reach people.” Those remarks underscore the view that early leads are not guarantees until final tallies are certified.

The role of endorsements and party support

Endorsements have played a visible role in shaping perceptions of momentum. Abraham collected support from organizations such as the Sierra Club, La Prensa San Diego and the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint newspaper. Her campaign presents a coalition of environmental and community-focused groups aiming to expand her reach within District 4.

Foster’s backing includes the San Diego County Democratic Party and several prominent Democratic leaders. His endorsers list features U.S. Rep. Juan Vargas, U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs, state Sen. Akilah Weber-Pierson and Secretary of State Shirley Weber. Those endorsements communicate institutional support and connections to regional Democratic networks.

Opposition endorsements and local dynamics

On the other side of District 4, the other challenger, administrative assistant Johnny Lee Dang, has been endorsed by the San Diego County Republican Party, reflecting a partisan divide in certain neighborhoods. In District 6, Mark Powell received endorsements from the County Republican Party, Assemblymember Carl DeMaio and the Union-Tribune, while Kent Lee was backed by local Democratic organizations, the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, and several state legislators.

Mutual endorsements and council alliances

An unusual element in these contests is that both incumbents received mutual support from council colleagues. Lee and Foster endorsed each other, and both collected backing from councilmembers Vivan Moreno and Sean Elo-Rivera, as well as from Council President Joe LaCava. Those mutual endorsements highlight the interconnected nature of city politics, where alliances often cross district lines.

Analysts note that cross-endorsements can reflect policy alignment or strategic calculations about relationships on the council. For voters, such signals can influence trust in incumbents’ ability to deliver on citywide priorities and constituent services.

What to watch next

With initial results showing narrow and comfortable leads depending on the district, the campaign calendars now shift to building momentum ahead of November. Observers will track mail ballots, provisional ballots and late precinct returns to see whether margins shift. The contests also illustrate how local endorsements, neighborhood composition, and early-reporting precincts can shape early narratives.

As vote counting continues, both communities and candidates will be watching precinct-level data and turnout patterns closely. The early numbers provide a snapshot, but the final outcome will depend on the remaining ballots and how each campaign mobilizes voters in the weeks ahead.

Updated at 3:37 a.m. June 3 2026.