This gave Democrats a two-thirds majority on the City Council, allowing them to override vetoes by Republican mayor Kevin Faulconer on issues that divide along partisan lines.

However, incumbents historically had not lost reelection to the San Diego City Council, and both Zapf and Cate had raised far more money than their challengers as of February 2018.

[2][4] In the June primary, Zapf advanced to the general election to face retired doctor Jennifer Campbell.

[2] In the June primary, Cole advanced to the general election to face civil rights lawyer Monica Montgomery.

[2] In the June primary, Cate advanced to the general election to face environmental advocate Tommy Hough.

[1] District 8 consisted of the southern communities of San Diego and those along the Mexico–United States border, including the communities of Barrio Logan, Egger Highlands, Grant Hill, Logan Heights, Memorial, Nestor, Ocean View Hills, Otay Mesa West, Otay Mesa East, San Ysidro, Sherman Heights, Stockton, and Tijuana River Valley.

In the June primary, Vivian Moreno, a political staffer in Alvarez's office, and Antonio Martinez, a community health clinic worker and member of the San Ysidro School District Board of Education, advanced to the general election.