Santa Barbara County Voter Guide 2026

Mayor

• 

  Eric Friedman

  SB City Councilmember/ Grocery Staff

  Nonpartisan

  Santa Barbara City Council District 5 member and Finance Committee chair. Long-time Trader Joe’s employee. Endorsed by U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal.

  Coverage

  • Pinned article: ‘Santa Barbara Talks’ podcast: Trader Joe’s employee, councilman Eric Friedman running for mayor
    Joshua Molina · Aug. 18
  • From Frosty the Snowman to The Grand on State Street, Santa Barbara candidates talk the arts at forum
    Anika Brodnansky · Oct. 8
  • Budget breakdown: A look into where city council and mayoral candidates campaign money is coming from
    Sofia Wallace · Sept. 29

  All coverage (13) →

• 

  Wendy Sims-Moten

  Executive Director, First 5 SB County

  Nonpartisan

  Executive director of early childhood agency, First 5 Santa Barbara County. Previously Santa Barbara Unified school board member from 2016-2024 and former board president.

  Coverage

  • Pinned article: Watch the first mayoral debate with Eric Friedman, Wendy Sims-Moten and Kristen Sneddon
    Joshua Molina · Sept. 9
  • Santa Barbara mayoral candidate Wendy Sims-Moten running on a platform of inclusion, care for one another
    Amanda Velasco · Oct. 3
  • Santa Barbara mayoral candidates debate finances, housing and State Street at News-Press forum
    Amanda Velasco · Sept. 4

  All coverage (5) →

• 

  Kristen W. Sneddon

  SB City Councilmember/ SBCC Professor

  Nonpartisan

  Santa Barbara City Council District 4 member and mayor pro tempore. Environmental geology instructor at Santa Barbara City College. Endorsed by the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party.

  Coverage

  • Pinned article: ‘Santa Barbara Talks’ podcast: Mayoral candidate Kristen Sneddon talks rents, State Street, housing
    Joshua Molina · Aug. 23
  • From Frosty the Snowman to The Grand on State Street, Santa Barbara candidates talk the arts at forum
    Anika Brodnansky · Oct. 8
  • Budget breakdown: A look into where city council and mayoral candidates campaign money is coming from
    Sofia Wallace · Sept. 29

  All coverage (12) →

City Council, District 4

• 

  Jason Paul Dominguez

  Attorney/ Law Professor

  Nonpartisan

  Attorney, law professor and tribal judge for the Santa Ynez Chumash Indians. Santa Barbara City Council District 1 member from 2016-2020.

  Coverage

  • Pinned article: Jason Dominguez looks to replace Kristen Sneddon in District 4 on the Santa Barbara City Council
    Joshua Molina · May 14
  • Budget breakdown: A look into where city council and mayoral candidates campaign money is coming from
    Sofia Wallace · Sept. 29
  • It’s a four-way battle for a Santa Barbara City Council seat in District 4
    Joshua Molina · Sept. 29

  All coverage (7) →

• 

  Genevieve Taft-Vazquez

  Small-Business Owner

  Nonpartisan

  Owner of sustainability consulting practice and former Coca-Cola executive. Member of Santa Barbara Neighborhood Advisory Council.

  Coverage

  • Pinned article: ‘Santa Barbara Talks’ podcast: Genevieve Taft-Vazquez shakes up District 4 City Council race
    Joshua Molina · Aug. 13
  • From Frosty the Snowman to The Grand on State Street, Santa Barbara candidates talk the arts at forum
    Anika Brodnansky · Oct. 8
  • Budget breakdown: A look into where city council and mayoral candidates campaign money is coming from
    Sofia Wallace · Sept. 29

  All coverage (8) →

• 

  Devon Wardlow

  Planning Commr./ Tech Policy Lead

  Nonpartisan

  Member of Santa Barbara Planning Commission and head of public policy for AI company, Obvio. SB County Democratic endorsement.

  Coverage

  • Pinned article: Santa Barbara City Council candidate Devon Wardlow ‘passionate about protecting what we all love in Santa Barbara’
    Joshua Molina · July 14
  • Budget breakdown: A look into where city council and mayoral candidates campaign money is coming from
    Sofia Wallace · Sept. 29
  • It’s a four-way battle for a Santa Barbara City Council seat in District 4
    Joshua Molina · Sept. 29

  All coverage (9) →

• 

  Monte Wilson

  Small-Business Owner

  Nonpartisan

  Owner of the Painted Cabernet and former executive at Adobe. Prior board president of the Santa Barbara High School MAD Academy.

  Coverage

  • Pinned article: ‘Santa Barbara Talks’ podcast: Former tech executive Monte Wilson looks to win seat on City Council
    Joshua Molina · Aug. 11
  • Budget breakdown: A look into where city council and mayoral candidates campaign money is coming from
    Sofia Wallace · Sept. 29
  • It’s a four-way battle for a Santa Barbara City Council seat in District 4
    Joshua Molina · Sept. 29

  All coverage (8) →

City Council, District 5

• 

  Ian J. Baucke

  Senate District Representative

  Nonpartisan

  District representative for state Sen. Monique Limón. Chair of Santa Barbara’s Transportation and Circulation Committee. SB County Democratic endorsement.

  Coverage

  • Pinned article: ‘Santa Barbara Talks’ podcast: City Council candidate Ian Baucke says he wants to help working families
    Joshua Molina · Aug. 26
  • From Frosty the Snowman to The Grand on State Street, Santa Barbara candidates talk the arts at forum
    Anika Brodnansky · Oct. 8
  • Budget breakdown: A look into where city council and mayoral candidates campaign money is coming from
    Sofia Wallace · Sept. 29

  All coverage (10) →

• 

  Cevin Cathell

  Film Producer/Businesswoman

  Nonpartisan

  Film producer and former program director of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF).

  Coverage

  • Pinned article: ‘Santa Barbara Talks’ podcast: Cevin Cathell looks to rewrite the script in District 5 council race
    Joshua Molina · Aug. 5
  • From Frosty the Snowman to The Grand on State Street, Santa Barbara candidates talk the arts at forum
    Anika Brodnansky · Oct. 8
  • Budget breakdown: A look into where city council and mayoral candidates campaign money is coming from
    Sofia Wallace · Sept. 29

  All coverage (9) →

• 

  James Zurlinden

  Media Buyer/ Accountant

  Nonpartisan

  Media buyer and accountant for a local advertising firm. Former chef whose experience includes the Four Seasons Biltmore and Convivo.

  Coverage

  • Pinned article: Former chef James Zurlinden makes bid for Santa Barbara City Council District 5 seat
    Kaitlin Sweeney · Sept. 5
  • From Frosty the Snowman to The Grand on State Street, Santa Barbara candidates talk the arts at forum
    Anika Brodnansky · Oct. 8
  • Budget breakdown: A look into where city council and mayoral candidates campaign money is coming from
    Sofia Wallace · Sept. 29

  All coverage (8) →

City Council, District 6

• 

  Jason Carlton

  Small-Business Owner

  Nonpartisan

  Electrical contractor and president of Carlton Electrical Construction. Previously ran for District 6 in 2021.

  Coverage

  • Pinned article: Electrician Jason Carlton hopes to spark City Council with his business owner expertise
    Sofia Wallace · Sept. 13
  • VIDEO: Watch Santa Barbara City Council candidates Jason Carlson, Gabe Escobedo, Anabella Lehne and Alexander Stoeber
    Joshua Molina · Sept. 24
  • In a Santa Barbara City Council battle for downtown, experience collides with new ideas
    Joshua Molina · Sept. 22

  All coverage (5) →

• 

  Gabe Escobedo

  School Board Member

  Nonpartisan

  Santa Barbara Unified school board member and former Santa Barbara City Planning Commission chair. SB County Democratic endorsement.

  Coverage

  • Pinned article: ‘Santa Barbara Talks’ podcast: Are the stars lining up for Gabe Escobedo and his City Council dreams?
    Joshua Molina · Aug. 31
  • From Frosty the Snowman to The Grand on State Street, Santa Barbara candidates talk the arts at forum
    Anika Brodnansky · Oct. 8
  • Budget breakdown: A look into where city council and mayoral candidates campaign money is coming from
    Sofia Wallace · Sept. 29

  All coverage (10) →

• 

  Anabella Lehne

  Loan Signing Agent

  Nonpartisan

  Loan signing agent and notary public. Former junior high teacher and social worker at Cottage Hospital.

  Coverage

  • Pinned article: Santa Barbara City Council candidate Anabella Lehne wants to make District 6 more affordable
    Sofia Wallace · Sept. 2
  • Budget breakdown: A look into where city council and mayoral candidates campaign money is coming from
    Sofia Wallace · Sept. 29
  • VIDEO: Watch Santa Barbara City Council candidates Jason Carlson, Gabe Escobedo, Anabella Lehne and Alexander Stoeber
    Joshua Molina · Sept. 24

  All coverage (6) →

• 

  Alexander Stoeber

  Real Estate Advisor

  Nonpartisan

  Real estate agent with Compass and founder of consulting firm Elevata. SB County Republican endorsement.

  Coverage

  • Pinned article: ‘Santa Barbara Talks’ Podcast: Alexander Stoeber brings new hope
    Joshua Molina · Aug. 2
  • From Frosty the Snowman to The Grand on State Street, Santa Barbara candidates talk the arts at forum
    Anika Brodnansky · Oct. 8
  • Budget breakdown: A look into where city council and mayoral candidates campaign money is coming from
    Sofia Wallace · Sept. 29

  All coverage (9) →

City Council, District 1

• Aja Forner

  Library Commissioner

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• Mónica Solórzano

  City Council Member District 1

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

City Council, District 3

• Julia Mayer

  Incumbent

  Nonpartisan Incumbent

  Coverage

  • Election Notebook: Chamber, Police Officers Association make endorsements
    Joshua Molina · Sept. 20

City Council, District 5

• Randy Carrasco

  Parole Agent Supervisor

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• Alexandra “Xy” VanAntwerp

  Carpinteria Planning Commissioner

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

City Council, District 1

• Rollin Gartzke

  Business Owner

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• Luz Reyes-Martín

  Goleta City Councilmember

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  • Election Notebook: Chamber, Police Officers Association make endorsements
    Joshua Molina · Sept. 20

City Council, District 2

• James Kyriaco

  Incumbent

  Nonpartisan Incumbent

  Coverage

  • Election Notebook: Chamber, Police Officers Association make endorsements
    Joshua Molina · Sept. 20

• Phebe Mansur

  Small Business Owner

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

Mayor

• Jeremy Ball

  City Councilmember

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  • Santa Barbara mayoral candidate Sneddon promises ‘we will not go backwards’ at Democratic Party Labor Day picnic
    Joshua Molina · Sept. 8

• James “Jim” Mosby

  Mayor

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  • Santa Barbara mayoral candidate Sneddon promises ‘we will not go backwards’ at Democratic Party Labor Day picnic
    Joshua Molina · Sept. 8

City Council, District 2

• Sharlameigne Segovia

  Housing Site Manager

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• Victor Vega

  Councilmember District 2

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

City Council, District 3

• Nick Gonzales

  Business Owner

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• Sarah Anne Read

  Registered Nurse

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

Mayor

• Dave King

  Retired CHP Officer

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• David Silva

  Mayor

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

City Council, District 1

• Billy Silvola

  Special Education Teacher

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• Mark Williams

  Retired Sheriff's Sergeant

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

City Council, District 4

• Carla Mead

  Councilmember

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

Mayor

• David Brown

  Mayor, City Of Solvang

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• Denise El Amin

  Business Owner

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

City Council, District 3

• V. Louise Smith

  Appointed Councilmember District 3

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

City Council, District 4

• Elizabeth Orona

  Incumbent Councilmember District 4

  Nonpartisan Incumbent

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

City Council, District 1

• Ricardo “Richard” Batalla

  Appointed Santa Maria City Councilmember District 1

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• Celest Mendoza

  Manager, Non-Profit

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• Gary Janek Michaels

  Small Business Owner

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

City Council, District 3

• Corby Poulis Sr.

  Small Businessman

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• Gloria Soto

  Incumbent

  Nonpartisan Incumbent

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

City Council, District 4

• Tyler Barksdale

  Retired Military

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• Vincent Martinez

  Local Business Owner

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

Mayor

• Christina Hernandez

  District Representative

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• Ariston D. Julian

  No Ballot Designation

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

City Council

Vote for up to 2.

• Randy L. Altergott

  No Ballot Designation

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• Robert Diaz

  No Ballot Designation

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

City Treasurer

• Charlene Estabillo

  No Ballot Designation

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

County Supervisor, District 5

• Maribel Aguilera

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  • Candidates talk character as war chests grow in race for Fifth District Santa Barbara County supervisor
    Tom Schultz · Oct. 2
  • Election Notebook: Chamber, Police Officers Association make endorsements
    Joshua Molina · Sept. 20
  • Santa Barbara mayoral candidate Sneddon promises ‘we will not go backwards’ at Democratic Party Labor Day picnic
    Joshua Molina · Sept. 8

  All coverage (7) →

• Ricardo Valencia

  Nonpartisan

  Coverage

  • Candidates talk character as war chests grow in race for Fifth District Santa Barbara County supervisor
    Tom Schultz · Oct. 2
  • Santa Barbara mayoral candidate Sneddon promises ‘we will not go backwards’ at Democratic Party Labor Day picnic
    Joshua Molina · Sept. 8
  • It’s official: Primary election results certified, runoffs set for November
    Tom Schultz · June 30

  All coverage (9) →

State Assembly, District 37

• Sari Domingues

  Retired Business Analyst

  Republican

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• Gregg Hart

  State Assemblymember

  Democratic

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

Governor

• Xavier Becerra

  Voting Rights Attorney

  Democratic

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• Steve Hilton

  Small Business Owner

  Republican

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

Lieutenant Governor

• Fiona Ma

  State Treasurer/CPA

  Democratic

  Coverage

  • State Treasurer Fiona Ma talks affordability, leadership at ‘Cosmopolitics’ event in Santa Barbara
    Sofia Wallace · Sept. 20

• Gloria Romero

  Educator/Businesswoman

  Republican

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

Secretary of State

• Donald P. (Don) Wagner

  Orange County Supervisor

  Republican

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• Shirley N. Weber

  California Secretary of State

  Democratic

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

Attorney General

• Rob Bonta

  California Attorney General

  Democratic

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

• Michael E. Gates

  Deputy United States Attorney

  Republican

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

Controller

• Malia M. Cohen

  State Controller/Mother

  Democratic

• Herb W Morgan

  Chief Investment Officer

  Republican

Treasurer

• Jennifer Hawks

  Retired Business Executive

  Republican

• Eleni Kounalakis

  Lieutenant Governor of California

  Democratic

Superintendent of Public Instruction

• Richard Barrera

  State Superintendent Advisor

  Nonpartisan

• Sonja Shaw

  School District President

  Nonpartisan

Insurance Commissioner

• Ben Allen

  California State Senator

  Democratic

• Jane Kim

  Attorney/Consumer Advocate

  Democratic

Board of Equalization, District 2

• Sally J. Lieber

  Incumbent

  Democratic Incumbent

• John Pimentel

  Member, Board of Trustees, San Mateo County Community College District

  Democratic

US Representative, District 24

• Salud Carbajal

  Member of Congress

  Democratic

  Coverage

  • Salud Carbajal breaks from Democratic Party’s choice and endorses Eric Friedman for mayor
    Joshua Molina · Sept. 1

• Bob Smith

  Defense Systems Engineer

  Republican

  Coverage

  No coverage yet

Governing Board, Trustee Area 1

No candidates listed yet.

Governing Board, Trustee Area 4

No candidates listed yet.

Governing Board, Trustee Area 5

No candidates listed yet.

Governing Board, Trustee Area 7

No candidates listed yet.