El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells will face Alexander Kraft in November after both candidates qualified for the ballot, according to East County Magazine. Wells, the incumbent mayor, is running for reelection against Kraft, a former educator and union organizer who identifies as a socialist.

East County Magazine reported that Wells is emphasizing the city’s budget position, public safety staffing, downtown revitalization and efforts to attract hotels and car dealerships. Wells has also drawn criticism over his support for city police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and El Cajon’s legal challenge to California sanctuary laws.

Kraft is campaigning on housing costs, social housing, wages, union support, immigrant and refugee protections, infrastructure and public safety. East County Magazine reported that both candidates have pointed to homelessness as a key issue, but frame the problem differently.

The race matters beyond El Cajon because the city is one of East County’s political and economic anchors. Santee residents regularly travel through El Cajon for work, shopping, transit and county services, and regional debates over housing, homelessness and public safety rarely stop at city borders.

The election is set for Nov. 3. East County Magazine reported that El Cajon’s District 1 council seat is also on the ballot after Councilman Gary Kendrick’s retirement.