Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe is a dedicated community advocate, leader, and public servant whose work is rooted in a commitment to equity and empowerment. She was sworn in to serve San Diego County District Four on December 5, 2023, and became the County's first Black woman elected to the Board. Born and raised in San Diego, California, she is honored to represent the vibrant neighborhoods and unincorporated areas of the Fourth District.
Monica received her Bachelor's degree in Political Science at
Spelman College and earned her Juris Doctor from California Western
School of Law. After passing the California Bar, she practiced in
civil rights, consumer, real estate, and bankruptcy law. Monica later
served at the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties as a Criminal
Justice Advocate, leading the local campaign to reform the money bail
system.
In 2018, Monica Montgomery Steppe achieved a significant milestone
by being elected to the San Diego City Council, representing nearly
160,000 constituents of District 4. Her election marked a pivotal
moment, as she became a powerful voice for her constituents,
advocating for policies that prioritize equity, fairness, and
inclusivity.
Throughout her tenure, Monica served as the Council President pro
Tem and chaired the Budget & Government Efficiency
Committee-- overseeing the process for the City's $5.2 billion budget.
She also chaired the Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods
Committee, advocating for equitable government practices, better
economic opportunities for people of color, and better relationships
between community members and police officers.
By partnering with community organizations and city leaders, Monica
established "The Peace Movement: Let's Live, Let's
Love" in 2019 as a proactive and holistic approach to
mitigate violence and ensure all communities are safe. As an integral
component of The Peace Movement, Monica advocated for the No Shots
Fired Pilot Intervention & Prevention Program, which implemented
community-based public safety professionals responding to and
intervening in gang-related gun violence. She also established the
Office of Race & Equity at the City of San Diego with a $3 million
Equity Fund.
With Monica's vision for change in historically underserved
communities, she became immersed in various initiatives. She is
dedicated to working tirelessly to address systemic inequalities and
amplify the voices of every San Diegan. For her leadership, Monica has
received many notable accolades and awards, including 2018 Voice of
San Diego Voice of the Year and the 2019 San Diego Democratic Party
Making a Difference Award.
Monica is the eldest daughter of Clifford and Patricia Montgomery. She is a wife, sister, niece, and a proud aunt.