Tuesday, November 4, marks California’s Special Election Day. Voters statewide will weigh in on Proposition 50, Gavin Newsom’s controversial redistricting measure. But another key vote is taking place in the San Diego County city of Poway, where a first-term council member is facing the boot.
Today’s special recall election was called in District 2 after Councilmember Tony Blain was arrested on perjury and bribery charges. Blain was set to appear in court yesterday, but the arraignment was postponed until January 2026. If convicted, Blain could face up to four years in prison.
Blain was elected to the seat just last year. Ironically, he had run on a promise to “bring back honesty, integrity and transparency” to City Hall.
Almost immediately, accusations of wrongdoing against Blain began pouring in. Councilmember Peter De Hoff accused Blain of offering to vote for his appointment as Deputy Mayor in exchange for DeHoff’s support for a special election in District 1. City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher — who has called Blain “a walking liability” for the city — accused the council member of threatening and harassing him, and calling him excessively on nights and weekends. Even Blain’s fellow conservatives on the council, like Jenny Maeda, complained about his behavior.
In February, less than two months after he was sworn into office, Blain became the first council member in Poway’s 45-year history to be censured.
Blain has maintained his innocence. He says the allegations against him are nothing but “political lies and retaliation from a corrupt Mayor Vaus and corrupt sycophant Vaus-appointee Councilmember Peter De Hoff who take millions of dollars from battery plants and developers then vote yes on their developments.”
Today, voters get the last say.