Oceanside’s incumbent city treasurer, who died in September, is winning reelection, according to results early Wednesday morning.

With 100 percent of precincts counted, incumbent Gary Ernst had 54 percent of the vote, followed by attorney and community activist Nadine Scott, with 46 percent of the vote.



For the record: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Nadine Scott was endorsed by the California Treasurer’s Association and the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of those groups.

Ernst’s death was announced Sept. 23, but his name remained on the ballot because the deadline for printing had already passed. If he is declared the winner, the Oceanside City Council will have to appoint a replacement, officials said.

Oceanside Councilman Jerry Kern, who worked to reelect Ernst, said the votes coming in were likely a reflection against Scott, whom he said is not qualified.


“People that knew her didn’t vote for her,” Kern said.

Scott said in an emailed statement that she was “feeling very positive. It’s early, yet.”

During the election, Scott filed an unsuccessful complaint with the state Fair Political Practices Commission alleging the city was promoting Ernst over her.

The city announced Ernst’s death in a brief news release on Sept. 23 and in an email newsletter called “The Oceanside Tide” that was sent to city residents.


The commission declined to investigate saying it found nothing in the complaint to warrant an investigation.

Scott also criticized slate mailers sent in October endorsing Ernst.

Kern said he helped Ernst’s campaign by asking people sending out mailers to include his name. He said he also sent out hundreds of emails asking the people vote for him.

The city treasurer oversees an investment portfolio of about $330 million. Kern said the job needs to be done by someone with experience.


Kern said he did not have anyone in mind to replace Ernst. He said the council will elect someone in an “open and transparent manner.”

It’s not the first time the council selects a treasurer.

In 2010, Ernst was chosen from among eight people who applied for the part-time treasurer’s job, which pays about $24,000 annually, after Gary Felien was elected to the city council.

Felien was also appointed by the council after his predecessor longtime Treasurer Rosemary Jones died in 2009.


Scott has said that she is qualified because she has served as treasurer for the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County.

She was endorsed by Councilwoman Esther Sanchez.

edward.sifuentes@sduniontribune.com

@EdwardSifuentes