Santa Barbara municipal candidates discuss local issues

Candidates for Santa Barbara City Council and the mayoral office are engaging with voters to discuss key local issues including housing, public safety, and disaster preparedness.

In the District 4 race, Genevieve Taft-Vazquez is running a grassroots campaign for the seat she grew up in. A former sustainability director at Coca-Cola, Taft-Vazquez opposes the city’s rent stabilization ordinance, supports closing State Street to cars until a Master Plan is completed, and advocates for increased downtown housing. She faces opponents including Planning Commissioner Devon Wardlow, retired Oracle executive Monte Wilson, and former Councilman Jason Dominguez.

Mayoral candidates Kristen Sneddon, Eric Friedman, Matt Kilrain, and Wendy Sims-Moten recently participated in a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters. Sneddon emphasized the need for the mayor to hold regular town halls in every district, while Sims-Moten focused on community involvement in policy decisions. Kilrain highlighted public safety and economic concerns as primary focuses.