Kristen Sneddon wasn’t always the chosen one. Nine years ago when she ran for Santa Barbara City Council, she wasn’t even endorsed by the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party.
It didn’t matter.
She won with more than 50% of the vote, in a field with two strong competitors.
But after winning two terms on the Santa Barbara, Sneddon now has her eyes set on the mayor’s seat, and this time it’s different.
She’s now the favored choice of the Democratic Party. Current Mayor Randy Rowse has decided not to seek a second term, so the mayor’s seat is wide open.
Sneddon talks about her mayoral campaign and where she stands on the issues, in the latest episode of the podcast “Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina.” Sneddon answers questions about rent stabilization, the future of State Street, the city budget, housing, her record, and a variety of other issues.
The show was produced by TV Santa Barbara and is part of a podcast series with Santa Barbara City Council candidates.
“I think fundamentally I’m a doer and a connector,” Sneddon says on the episode. “When I see issues, from wherever I am, if I’m in school, if I’m a parent at a school, if I’m out in the workplace or at my workplace, if I see something that needs to be addressed and done, I I can’t help myself but to to jump in and start doing and I think that’s what brought me to to running for council in the first place.”
Sneddon, who teaches environmental geology at Santa Barbara City College, said she was fueled to run the first time somewhat in response to Donald Trump’s first election.
“I had no idea what to do, but I set out to do something,” Sneddon says on the podcast. “And once being on council, I saw how influential and impactful those decisions can be for really big issues that are both hyperlocal but also affect us more globally. And running for mayor is a continuation of that real desire to do for the community.”
Sneddon grew up in Santa Barbara and graduated from Santa Barbara High. She is a graduate of Santa Barbara City College and UCLA.
On the council, Sneddon has advocated for affordable housing, tenants and underrepresented communities. She has supported funding for families impacted by ICE deportations.
In addition to rent stabilization and State Street, Sneddon talks about the future of Paseo Nuevo, including the Nordstrom building and the city budget. Sneddon also talks about her friendship with the late Sheila Lodge, former councilmember and mayor of Santa Barbara, and how she spent time with Lodge in her final days.
Click on the YouTube video above to watch the hour-long podcast episode.
Mayoral debate
The Santa Barbara News-Press and Newsmakers with Jerry Roberts are hosting a mayoral forum at 6 p.m., Sept. 3 at The New Vic. Candidates Sneddon, Eric Friedman and Wendy Sims-Moten will participate. Reserve your tickets to the event now before they are sold out.
