SAN DIEGO—The county will get a new sheriff for the first time since the retirement of longtime department head Bill Gore, with two candidates facing off in the Nov. 8 election.
Undersheriff Kelly Martinez and former city prosecutor John Hemmerling are vying to head the department and due to recent legislation, the new sheriff will serve for six years, rather than the typical four-year term.
Martinez is looking to become the department’s first female sheriff following her appointment last year as the department’s first female second-in-command.
Martinez, who has served within the sheriff’s department since 1985, has Gore’s endorsement, as well as the backing of County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, among others….