Parties: It’s not quite “Saturween” in Isla Vista, but Santa Barbara will have its share of parties tonight as election results roll in.
The Santa Barbara County Democratic Party and Democratic Women of Santa Barbara County are hosting the biggest event of the night at Validation Ale in the Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone neighborhood.
Expect candidates Kristen Sneddon, Devon Wardlow, Gabe Escobedo and Ian Baucke to show up to celebrate possible victories. Valerie Amparan, school board candidate, will also be there. It’s a somewhat significant moment for the County Democratic Party and the Democratic Women to host a joint affair — the two groups don’t always agree on which candidates to endorse.
Often times the Democratic Party endorses the most liberal candidates and Democratic Women has endorsed some of those candidates and some more moderate-leaning candidates. The Democratic Women organization has been a place for candidates who didn’t get endorsed by The Democratic Party to have a different place of support.
In years’ past, the parties have been at two different places. This cycle, the Democratic Women could reach consensus on a candidate for mayor, or a candidate in District 4.
They will all be under one roof tonight.
Meanwhile, Eric Friedman will be over at Biergarten, celebrating with his supporters, should he pull off the win.
The other big event is the Santa Barbara Public Market, where Monte Wilson and Alexander Stoeber will be holding court.
Genevieve Taft-Vazquez will be over at Gala in Santa Barbara. It’s a restaurant owned by District 4 resident.
James Zurlinden, candidate in District 5, is having an event at Convivo on Cabrillo Boulevard. Downtown Santa Barbara District 6 candidate Anabella Lehne told the News-Press she would be in Carpinteria on election night.
– Joshua Molina, News-Press editor
North County gatherings: Maribel Aguilera, candidate for Fifth District Santa Barbara County Supervisor, was expected to host family and supporters at The Historic Santa Maria Inn.
Ricardo Valencia, her Democrat opponent, planned to start Election Night at the nearby United Domestic Workers of America Hall and later meet with family and supporters at The Garden Mediterranean Restaurant & Cafe.
The candidates are running to succeed outgoing Supervisor Steve Lavagnino, who’s retiring after 16 years in office.
– Tom Schultz, News-Press Staff Writer
Photo Shoot: In one of her final efforts to galvanize voters ahead of Election Night, District 4 City Council candidate Devon Wardlow held a “women-supporting-women” photo shoot and rally at the Santa Barbara Mission Rose Garden last Wednesday.
Nearly 30 women leaders, including former Santa Barbara County Supervisor Janet Wolf and Santa Barbara Democratic Women President Claudette Roehrig, held up Devon Wardlow lawn signs and chanted “vote for Devon!”
“Devon has the skills and abilities and the experience,” Wolf said. “I’m very happy that Claudette pulled us together. It’s really a testament to Devon that the call went out just two days ago, and look at the women behind me.”
The videos they shot quickly went up on Instagram. As a side not, the Rose Garden has become the focal point of social media messages in District 4, with Wardlow and Taft-Vazquez using the spot as a backdrop for their storytelling.
– Julianna Lozada, News-Press Staff Writer
Ballots rolling in: At the close of business Monday, Santa Barbara County residents had returned 81,418 ballots with 167,808 still outstanding—for an overall turnout so far of 32.7%, according to the latest PDI Early Vote Tracker tally.
Democrats led the charge with 43,169 ballots returned, followed by Republicans with 21,617 and independents with 16,632.
Voters age 65 and older accounted for 60.3% of the turnout—the highest rate among any age group—while 18- to 34-year-olds brought up the rear with a 12.9% turnout so far, PDI reported.
– Tom Schultz, News-Press Staff Writer
Election results: Newspress.com will bring you all the stories and election results tonight. Check our site this evening to find out what’s happening in all the races, from Montecito to Santa Maria.
The entire News-Press team will be out at the parties to provide the most comprehensive local coverage that you will find.
The News-Press will also be bringing you moments and reactions from the parties on its social media channels.
