San Diego District 4 Council race intensifies as Abraham leads Foster

The San Diego City Council District 4 reelection race has become an unpredictable contest between incumbent Henry Foster III and challenger Martha Abraham. Abraham, a community activist and neonatal nurse, currently holds momentum against Foster, who was elected in a 2024 special election.

The race is marked by shifting political alliances and significant spending. The California Apartment Association has spent nearly $77,000 on polling and mailers targeting Foster. This spending follows $45,000 in donations from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown San Diego Partnership to a committee associated with the California Apartment Association. While these local business groups have endorsed Abraham, they state their contributions are unrelated to the campaign against Foster.

Political shifts in the district include Foster’s recent call to roll back Mayor Todd Gloria’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) program, a move that coincided with the repeal of Footnote 7, a policy targeting specific communities for overdensity. The contest reflects broader local tensions regarding housing policy, predatory development, and community neglect.