Councilmember Eric Friedmen, another Santa Barbara candidate and moderate Democrat, also sought the Democratic party nomination. He served as Mayor Pro Tempore, and worked as a chief staffer to Representative Salud Carbajal, Santa Barbara’s Congressman, before his tenure at city council starting in 2017. His bio (on the city website) says he’s worked at a local grocery store throughout the pandemic, which “ allowed [him] to create genuine, one-on-one relationships with members of the community and gain a unique perspective on the impacts of the pandemic.” (He continues serving the community as an employee at the store and at City Council). He often funds public infrastructure and planning projects.
“Over 25 years ago, I started volunteering with Surfrider where we worked to stop a golf course from being developed on the Gaviota Coast. That experience led me to a career in public service where I focus on connecting government to the residents it serves,” Friedman says via email. “Every day I am blessed to have an opportunity to learn more about the policies of the City and how they impact the lives of our residents. This includes issues such as affordable housing, environmental sustainability, emergency preparedness and others. I decided to run for mayor to continue serving and improve government accessibility and responsiveness.”
Kristen Sneddon, Councilmember for District Four since 2017, is working for tenant protections and is often funding climate and community projects. She currently serves as Mayor Pro Tempore. “The mayor’s race to me is about working for a community where we all belong, can feel safe, and can count on our future – that’s the environment, our ability to afford to live here, and our families to feel secure,” Sneddon said via email correspondence. “As a professor of Environmental Geology at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), I know the pressures we face from a changing climate. As a Don (1989) and parent of three Dons, I want our teachers and working families to be able to live here, and for the next generation to see a future for themselves here. I appreciate and celebrate the beautiful diversity that is Santa Barbara. The Democratic Party endorsement reflects these values.”
Sneddon won the endorsement for Mayor by the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party (SBCDP). Party leaders cited her approach to Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) as a reason the SBCDP supports her. Chair of the SBCDP, Christian Alonso stated, “She’s the only candidate who brought that up and said something along the lines of ‘will put my body on the line to protect them [immigrants],’”
Both council members challenge incumbent Mayor Randy Rowse. Rowse, elected Mayor in Nov. 2021 to a five-year term, serves as Santa Barbara’s 51st Mayor, after nine years in City Council (2010-2019). Rowse often funds public safety and emergency service projects, infrastructure, and maintaining city infrastructure. His first campaign website explains the addition of police and peace officers, he is proud of the collective work as the council responding to George Floyd, and implementing thoughtful policies. He shared excitement about the renovation of the Murphy Field.
When asked about the election, he remarked,“Frankly, I’m focused on the job,” saying he wouldn’t be thinking about the election for a while. He has goals for the downtown and state-street corridor, saying “The way it is right now, it’s not working clearly now,” citing revenue and sales-tax data. When asked about housing, his strategy is simple: “you have to supply”.
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