Santa Barbara mayoral and City Council races intensify

Santa Barbara's upcoming local elections are gaining momentum as candidates for mayor and City Council present their platforms. Kristen Sneddon, a mayoral candidate, spoke at the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party’s annual Labor Day picnic, where she emphasized a need for community vision and a “blue wave” of Democratic support.

Sneddon is competing against current City Council member Eric Friedman for the mayor’s seat. The two candidates hold differing views on rent stabilization, the development of downtown Santa Barbara and State Street, and methods for replenishing city budget reserves. While Sneddon has the Democratic Party's endorsement, Friedman is endorsed by Representative Salud Carbajal.

In the race for the City Council District 5 seat, which will be vacated by Friedman, Ian Baucke has emerged as a front-runner. Baucke has secured endorsements from both the state and county Democratic parties, as well as the Sierra Club and the Santa Barbara Tenants Union. His platform includes advocating for housing affordability and people-centered urban planning for State Street.