Poway’s Blain resigns a day after voters show support for his recall

Poway City Councilmember Tony Blain resigned Nov. 5, effective immediately, a day after early returns showed that 80% of voters in a special election supported his recall.

The San Diego County Registrar of Voters released early results of the election on the evening of Nov. 4.

Blain, who was elected in November 2024 to represent residents in the city’s District 2, sent an emailed statement to the city at 2:58 a.m. on Nov. 5.

He wrote that he was unable to fulfill his council duties because he is an active U.S. Army Reserve doctor. He did not mention the recall election.

“My wife always tells me, ‘Do what brings you joy,’ and although being on Council is noble, it definitely has never brought me joy or fulfillment,” Blain wrote. “You have my promise I will never again seek any public office and I will never again attend any future Poway City Council meetings.”

He also told the council to be “guided by what’s best for Poway residents and families and not primarily by political parties or campaign contributions.”

Mayor Steve Vaus said in a statement that Blain could have saved the city “hundreds of thousands of dollars had he resigned earlier.”

“A resignation that comes on the heels of a crushing recall election defeat rings hollow,” Vaus said. “Coming now it’s too little, too late.”

Blain has been accused of vote trading, along with threatening recalls against his colleagues and trying to use law enforcement to silence his critics, which led to the citizen-initiated recall effort. He has been censured twice by the City Council.

He also is facing felony charges of perjury and bribery.

The Poway City Council voted unanimously Nov. 7 to delay setting a special election date to replace Blain. Councilmembers said at the special meeting that they wanted to wait for more information about the costs for two proposed election dates.

City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher told the council that they must take action within 60 days of Blain’s resignation. Blain won his seat in November 2024 and has served 11 months. His seat will expire in November 2028.

If the council calls for an election on or before Dec. 20, the election would be on April 14, 2026, Fenstermacher said. If they set the date after Dec. 20, the election would take place on June 2, 2026, the same day as the statewide primary.

He said the cost for the elections is likely to be in the low to mid six figures — and may be less for the June 2 election because it is the same day as the state primary. City staff does not expect to receive an estimate until after the November election is certified next month, he said.

Vaus and Councilmembers Peter De Hoff and Jenny Maeda said they supported the June 2 date because it coincides with the state primary.

“I’m glad Councilmembers Maeda and De Hoff made the point about engagement in the June election, which typically has significantly higher participation,” Vaus said. “I think that’s very important. Especially when it comes with some cost savings.”

Councilmember Christopher Pikus said he would prefer the April 14 date “because it’s going to take 30 days after that for the registrar to certify the results.”

“I think two months extra for District 2 might be worth a little extra money,” he said.

The council in April unanimously approved a new policy that requires a special election when filling a vacancy that occurs within the first 18 months of a councilmember’s four-year term.

Blain still faces five criminal charges filed by the San Diego District Attorney’s office on Oct. 24. The felony charges are perjury, asking for a bribe by a member of a legislative body, soliciting a bribe and destruction or removal of public records. The misdemeanor charge is for petty theft, pertaining to the removal of a campaign sign.

His arraignment is scheduled for January.

Anita Edmondson, who along with John Mullin and John Couvrette led the recall campaign, said the election results showed that “when Poway residents see a problem, they’re willing to stand up and take action.”

“This community came together to protect our city and we couldn’t be prouder of our volunteers and recall supporters,” she said.