Foster, Abraham Face Off in District 4 Race

Voters in San Diego City Council District 4 cast ballots Tuesday in a local race between incumbent Henry Foster and Martha Abraham.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Foster, Abraham Face Off in District 4 Race

Live Poll

Do you trust your city council to deliver better local services in your area?

Voters in San Diego City Council District 4 cast ballots on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the MLK Recreation Center polls. Incumbent Democrat Henry Foster faces Martha Abraham, a Democrat and community activist who trailed him by twelve votes in the primary.

Why it matters

The race for the district, which includes Emerald Hills, Encanto, Skyline, and Lincoln Park, will determine who represents residents on issues such as the city's license plate reading cameras, which cost about $2 million a year. Foster has pushed for months to remove the cameras, which one voter described as an invasion of privacy.

The primary margin between the two candidates was twelve votes, so the November contest is expected to be close. The license plate reading cameras cost the city about $2 million annually, and the final outcome of the race has not been reported.

The players

Henry Foster

Incumbent Democratic San Diego City Council member for District 4 who has led the push to remove the city's license plate reading cameras.

Martha Abraham

Democrat and community activist challenging Foster in District 4, who trailed him by twelve votes in the primary.

The details

Residents of the district cast ballots at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center, and several voters said the cameras, new trash fees for homeowners, and the earlier paid parking at Balboa Park that has since been repealed were on their minds. Some residents also raised neighborhood concerns, including speed bump requests that Foster's office said would be installed after a study.

Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Voters cast ballots at the MLK Recreation Center polls in District 4.

Civic Pulse

The District 4 contest follows the city's recent reversal of paid parking at Balboa Park, a decision that shaped how residents judge local leadership. Voters now weigh similar questions about fees and city services in choosing their representative.

Residents in Emerald Hills, Encanto, Skyline, and Lincoln Park will help decide whether the license plate reading cameras, which cost the city about $2 million a year, remain in use. The outcome may also affect how quickly neighborhood requests such as speed bumps are acted on.

The takeaway

Local races in San Diego can be decided by very small margins, so voters' participation directly shapes district representation. Residents interested in the issues can follow council actions on the cameras, fees, and neighborhood requests.