When Chula Vista City Council candidate Steve Stenberg decided to run for office for the first time, he campaigned with signs, like most politicians do.
But he also promised every neighbor that if he could put a sign on their lawn, he would take it down by Wednesday at the latest.
Tuesday's primary proved to put Stenberg in the lead with Jill Galvez close behind. Election results will be certified by the County Registrar of Voters after all mail-in ballots are counted.
"For a first timer, I was just hoping to make the top two list and I'm actually on top of it," said Stenberg.
By Wednesday afternoon, Stenberg and his wife had collected about two-thirds of the 290 signs he put up on lawns. They collected signs until 1 a.m. the night of the election.
"That feels good because I told them I would do it," said Stenberg.
Galvez also plans to pick up her signs with the help of volunteers. She said she compiled a spreadsheet of all homes with them.
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She will head out Thursday morning with a volunteer and a big truck, leaving a thank you note at each home.
"The signs are almost impossible to recycle, so if your candidate made the runoff, save the sign and let the campaigns know," added Galvez.
Stenberg, a retired firefighter, was up against six candidates Tuesday: Galvez, a businesswoman Steve Castaneda, a former councilman, Max Zaker, a businessman, Patrick MacFarland, a teacher, and Jesse Navarro, retired community relations professional with the San Diego County District Attorney.
