The mayor of Santa Barbara County’s largest city kept her job, but two others in the North County lost their re-election bids, according to the Elections Division’s certified results this week after tallying the Nov. 5 ballots.
Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino retained her lead over challenger Diana Perez, with the incumbent finishing 56 votes ahead.
After all ballots were counted, Patino received 11,007 votes, or 43.8%, while Perez garnered 10,951 votes, or 43.6%, for the four-year term.
Patino became the first female mayor in Santa Maria’s history with her election in November 2012. She was re-elected in November 2016 and again in November 2020.
She has served on the City Council since 2000 after being appointed to fill a vacancy and then successfully running for the job.
Far behind the two leaders were William “Will” Smith with nearly 7% and Andrew “Andy” Foster with 5.4%.
In the race for the District 2 term on the Santa Maria City Council, political newcomer Gloria Flores, a retired educator, won the seat with 35%, ahead of Benjamin Ortiz with 34.2% and incumbent Mike Cordero with 30.5%.
The county’s final tally also didn’t change any results for other races, including two where incumbent mayors were unseated.
Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne lost as former Councilman James Mosby took the top spot in a three-way race for the two-year term.
Mosby received 39% compared with Osborne’s 32.1%. Political newcomer Lydia Perez, who was backed by multiple Democrats, served as the spoiler, getting 26.6%.
In Buellton, incumbent David King was ousted by colleague David Silva, who has served as vice mayor. Silva received 52.3% while King got 47.3%.
The top vote-getters in other races had significant leads as the final ballots were counted.
Bond measures for the Santa Maria-Bonita School District, the Hope School District, Santa Barbara City College and the Lompoc Unified School District all maintained their support above the required 55%, according the final vote count.
Meanwhile, the results didn’t change for two districts failing to get voter approval for their bond measures.
The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District and the College School District in Santa Ynez fell short a few percentage points below the 55% needed to pass.
The complete list of certified results can be found by clicking here.