Dear City of San Diego resident,
My name is Dr. Suzanne Till, and I am running for State Senate District 40. I am from Lakeside. I graduated from El Capitan High School and currently live in Santee. I am a Marine veteran. I teach high school and community college. I am the Vice President of Padre Dam (MWD) Municipal Water District Board of Directors. Padre Dam MWD serves over 250,00 residents of the State Senate District 40 in East San Diego County. As an elected official I have never raised water or sewer rates for the rate payers in our water district.
Even though I am from East County, I represent change for the 200,000 City of San Diego voters residing in the California State Senate District 40. The City of San Diego used to be called “America’s Finest City”. Now the City of San Diego is “America’s High Cost City”. What can I do to help our affordability crisis?
31% of San Diego County families struggle with living expenses: housing, food and water. Why? One reason is California’s housing market favors Wall Street and foreign investors, not housing our children. In 2025, 27% of all California homes were purchased by investment corporations, not Californian families. Wall Street-backed corporations are reaping profits and denying Californians the chance to buy starter homes. I support Assemblymember Alex Lee’s Bill, AB 1240 to limit corporate ownership of single family homes for use as rentals or investment.
We all drink water from San Diego County Water Authority Carlsbad desalination plant. This water is the most expensive water in the United States. In October 2025, the San Diego City Council approved an outrageous and unnecessary 62% water and sewer rate increase from 2026 to 2027. By comparison, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, where I am Vice President, guarantees a 0% water and sewer rate increase from 2026 to 2027. I can implement sustainable and affordable alternatives to the constantly escalating water and sewer rates imposed by City of San Diego political leaders.
I experienced the Cedar Wildfire disaster of 2003. Under my leadership Padre Dam MWD now has smart, reliable water infrastructure to fight wildfires in the Padre Dam MWD service area. I will restore Lake Hodges Reservoir, thus reducing your water bill and fire risk in the northern region of the City of San Diego. A restored Lake Hodges will serve as a fire break for North San Diego residents, and result in lower homeowner’s insurance rates.
We need access to affordable healthcare. We in California must become more self-sufficient in health care coverage and medical research. I am a cancer survivor. Consequently, I will be especially focused on cancer treatment and research. Cancer is the number 1 cause of death for San Diego County residents.
As an elected official I am known for nonpartisanship, fiscal responsibility, and critical evaluation of data science available. Unlike the City of San Diego, Padre Dam MWD has developed an affordable water portfolio that is carbon neutral. In my previous campaigns, I earned votes from Democrats, No Party Preference and moderate Republicans. No other candidate has this track record. I am here as a change candidate who supports community service, science and pragmatism, not partisan politics. Let’s end this reputation of “America’s High Cost City” together. Please donate, any amount will help.
Suzanne Till