Eric Friedman leads Kristen Sneddon in tight race for Santa Barbara mayor

Once an underdog, City Councilmember Eric Friedman led Councilmember Kristen Sneddon Tuesday night in the race to become the city’s next mayor.

“I just appreciate everybody who came out tonight to vote in Santa Barbara,” Friedman told the News-Press. “We showed that we are here supporting our democracy.”

The race remained tight, with Friedman leading with 46.6 percent of votes. Sneddon followed with 44.8 percent of votes, and candidate Wendy Sims-Moten had 5.4 percent.

Friedman’s campaign benefited from endorsements from U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) and The Santa Barbara Independent. Friedman raised the most money in the race, brining in more than double Sneddon’s haul.

“I’m really excited for the next council,” Sneddon said as the early ballot returns came in. “The outcomes were decisive for districts 5 and 6, so the council’s going to be in good hands.”

Sneddon is a teacher at Santa Barbara City College.

Friedman, an employee of Trader Joe’s, celebrated with supporters at SB Biergarten—just around the corner from Validation Ale, where Sneddon gathered with other endorsed Democratic Party candidates.

Himself a longtime Democrat, Friedman’s government experience dates back 25 years. He worked for Carbajal, when the would-be Congressman still served on the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors. He also served on the city’s Harbor Commission and Library Board.

Friedman joined Santa Barbara’s City Council in 2018. He most recently chaired the Finance Committee, where he raised questions about the city spending its emergency reserves. When the budget notoriously unraveled, much of the blame fell on Sneddon.

As the mayoral race picked up and with Sneddon the assumed frontrunner, Friedman was considered a longshot candidate. Since then, a string of influential endorsements and donations boosted his campaign.

When Carbajal endorsed Friedman, the move shook up the mayoral race. The most influential Democratic politician in Santa Barbara, Carbahal endorsed Friedman even though Sneddon received the Democratic party endorsement.

Current Mayor Randy Rowse gave Friedman an early endorsement. He also won the support of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce and The Santa Barbara Independent.

During his time on the City Council, Friedman worked with Councilmember Meagan Harmon to establish the Local Housing Trust Fund. It funds new affordable housing developments, which Friedman says is the solution to Santa Barbara’s housing crisis rather than rent stabilization.

As mayor, Friedman said he’ll listen to different perspectives and attempt to reach a place of mutual understanding, even when disagreements arise. He also hopes to lead the city into financial responsibility.

“Going forward,” he said, “it’s very important that the community comes together, and we really just start rebuilding relationships.”