Incumbent
Kelly Martinez

Kelly Martinez

Democrat | Birthdate: Apr 04, 1963 (Age 60)

Sheriff, San Diego County
District Analysis

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department, led by the Sheriff, is a key law enforcement agency in the region, responsible for providing a wide range of critical public safety services. The Sheriff, as the county's highest-ranking law enforcement officer, oversees the administration of the department, which includes patrol services, jail operations, court security, and a variety of specialized units like bomb disposal and search and rescue.

The responsibilities of the Sheriff's Office are extensive. They include managing the county's jails, which involves the custody and care of inmates, as well as overseeing rehabilitative and reentry programs. The Sheriff's Department also provides law enforcement services to the unincorporated areas of San Diego County and to certain municipalities that contract for its services. This includes routine patrol, traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, and emergency response.

Beyond these operational duties, the Sheriff plays a crucial role in community engagement and crime prevention. This involves collaborating with community groups, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to address public safety concerns and to promote a cooperative relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Recent or notable Sheriffs include Bill Gore, who served from 2009 to 2021. His tenure was marked by efforts to address mental health issues within the criminal justice system, the implementation of body cameras for deputies, and initiatives aimed at increasing transparency and accountability within the department. Gore's administration also focused on enhancing public safety through technological advancements and community-oriented policing strategies.

The position of Sheriff is an elected one, and as such, the officeholder's policies and approach to law enforcement can significantly impact the county's approach to public safety, criminal justice reform, and community relations. The Sheriff’s leadership and the department's actions play a critical role in shaping the public's trust in law enforcement and in maintaining law and order throughout San Diego County.

1,927,058 Registered Voters as of 01/02/24 D +14.49%
DEM %
42
800,579 Voters
REP %
27
521,328 Voters
OTHER %
31
605,151 Voters
District Historical Candidate Performance
Election DEM REP Margin
2022 Gubernatorial Newsom - 55.78% Dahle - 44.22% D +11.6%
2020 Presidential Biden - 60.21% Trump - 37.46% D +22.75%
2018 Gubernatorial Newsom - 56.86% Cox - 43.14% D +13.72%
2016 Presidential Clinton - 56.07% Trump - 36.43% D +19.64%
2020 Census Data
Total Population Total White Hispanic Black Asian Native Pacific
% % % % % %

2022 General Election Results (November 8, 2022)
Name Votes Vote % Vote Share
Kelly Martinez (D) 525,111 58.59%
John Hemmerling (R) 371,104 41.41%
2022 Primary Election Results (June 7, 2022)
Name Votes Vote % Vote Share
Kelly Martinez (D) 229,193 37.5%
John Hemmerling (R) 124,591 20.38%
Dave Myers (D) 116,072 18.99%
Jonathan Peck (R) 43,857 7.18%
Juan Carlos Mercado (D) 41,937 6.86%
John Gunderson (N/A) 41,800 6.84%
Charles Battle (R) 13,752 2.25%
2018 Primary Election Results (June 5, 2018)
Name Votes Vote % Vote Share
Bill Gore (DTS) 334,995 55.23%
Dave Myers (D) 271,598 44.77%