At its first meeting of 2026, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors today unanimously voted to reappoint Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer as Chair of the five-member Board, signaling a commitment to stability and continuity as the County faces a challenging budget year driven by major federal funding cuts.

Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe was reelected as Vice Chair, and Supervisor Paloma Aguirre was elected Chair Pro Tem.

The motion to reappoint Supervisor Lawson-Remer was made by Chair Pro Tem Paloma Aguirre who said Lawson-Remer’s handling and management of meetings is greatly appreciated and her calm demeanor is admirable. 

While Supervisor Joel Anderson expressed a preference for one-year terms for Board Chairs, he said, “I think you [Lawson-Remer] did a great job last year, I think we’ve had some of the smoothest meetings we’ve ever had in the short five years I’ve been here.”

“This year, our focus is clear: saving taxpayers money, making life more affordable, protecting consumers, and strengthening the County’s systems so they work better for the people we serve,” said Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer. “With federal cuts putting pressure on essential services, we’re stepping up — modernizing County government, improving service delivery, and taking on big challenges like environmental protection and the Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis.”

Supervisor Lawson-Remer served as Acting Chair beginning in January 2025 following the unexpected resignation of former Chair Nora Vargas, and was later elected by her colleagues in July to serve as Chair for the remainder of the year. She now looks forward to serving a full year as Chair with a fully seated Board.