Dave Romero, the only San Luis Obispo mayoral candidate in favor of Measure J, comfortably led the pack in that race, garnering 45 percent of the vote after promising voters he would strive to bring Dalidio Ranch back to the city.

Romero's closest challengers were John Ewan (who ran as a strong proponent of energy conservation) with 28 percent of the vote and Christine Mulholland (who ran as a slow-growth candidate) with 23 percent of the vote.

Romero has served four years as San Luis Obispo's mayor and eight years on the council, following almost four decades as San Luis Obispo's director of public works.