East County Supervisor Joel Anderson announced Sunday that he is running for San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector, entering a four-way race that could reshape the political landscape for the more than 620,000 residents he currently represents across District 2 — which includes Santee and surrounding communities.

Anderson, who holds a finance degree from Cal Poly Pomona and previously served in the California Senate and Assembly, told the Voice of San Diego he is running because he believes he can have a more meaningful impact in the treasurer-tax collector role. The position became open following the resignation of Dan McAllister, who served for 23 years before his death shortly after retiring.

The race includes three other candidates: Larry Cohen, a Democrat who was appointed interim treasurer-tax collector; Shirley Nakawatase, a certified public accountant endorsed by the Republican Party; and Victor Roy, a former Oceanside city treasurer. The top two finishers in the June primary will advance to a November runoff.

The stakes extend beyond the treasurer race itself. If Anderson wins in November, it would create a vacancy on the Board of Supervisors for District 2 — the seat covering Santee, El Cajon, Lakeside, Ramona, and other East County communities — potentially triggering a special election. Anderson was reelected in 2024 and would be term-limited from running for supervisor again in 2028 regardless.

Anderson is the first sitting county supervisor to run for another county elected office. His campaign has earned endorsements from Cal Fire firefighters, electrical workers, carpenters, and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.