OCEANSIDE, Calif. -- The city of Oceanside faces several changes in city leadership as Councilman Jerry Kern is facing a recall election and councilman Rocky Chavez is leaving to become undersecretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, 10News reported.

Experts said the departure of Chavez and Kern's situation is significant because, along with Councilman Jack Feller, the trio formed a conservative majority on the Oceanside City Council. If Kern survives the recall election, the council will be split 2-2. If Kern is recalled, Mayor Jim Wood and Councilwoman Esther Sanchez would be joined by the winner of the race to replace Kern. The changes would give them a majority on the council, and if they appoint a replacement for Chavez, suddenly they would have a 4-1 advantage.

Kern said the recall effort is just the police and fire unions trying to get him out of office.

"This is not a citizens' recall, it's a union recall," said Kern.

Kern said the unions are upset with him because he voted for cuts to their departments and has questioned their pensions.

However, Sanchez disputed that, and said, "That is the biggest crock I've ever heard."

Sanchez said the unions have tried to work with Kern, but he won't work with them.

Kern points out the firefighters union has raised $114,000 to recall him and calls Sanchez and Wood "union puppets."

The recall election is December 8.

Kern said he is confident he will not be recalled, and added city services will still work despite the possible changes in Oceanside's political landscape.