Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, has endorsed Eric Friedman for mayor, in a surprise move that shakes up the Santa Barbara mayor’s race.
“For eight years, councilmember Eric Friedman has worked to build consensus and make responsible choices on the issues that matter most to Santa Barbara residents,” Carbajal said in a statement. “He understands that building Santa Barbara’s future starts with a budget we can sustain. That same discipline is how Eric delivered real results on affordable housing, public safety, and emergency preparedness, without ever compromising the city’s finances.”
The move is significant because Carbajal is the highest-ranking local Democrat in the party, but the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party has endorsed Kristen Sneddon for mayor.
Carbajal and Friedman have a longtime connection.
Friedman worked as a senior staffer for Carbajal, when he was a Santa Barbara County Supervisor. Friedman ran for council when Carbajal was elected to U.S. Congress.
“With Eric as Mayor, Santa Barbara will have steady, responsible leadership and I am proud to endorse him,” Carbajal said.
Friedman said he is “grateful” for Carbajal’s endorsement.
“He has been a mentor to me and showed me effective leadership starts with bringing people together to solve challenges using common sense,” Friedman said in a statement. “As Mayor of Santa Barbara, I will prioritize responsiveness and collaboration to ensure I meet the needs of all our residents.”
Sneddon in a statement said she is proud of her endorsements.
“I am honored to have the support of the Democratic Party, Indivisible SB, Sierra Club, SEIU city workers, and a broad base of community leaders,” Sneddon told the News-Press.
Wendy Sims-Moten is also running for mayor.
