Local Democratic leaders and candidates used the long Labor Day weekend to rally supporters ahead of the November election.
On Monday, Santa Barbara County Democrats hosted a Labor Day barbecue at Goleta Beach, where candidates spoke to supporters about topics ranging from housing and affordability to rebuilding the party’s foothold in local and national offices.
The event featured candidates and leaders from the state and federal levels, including Rep. Salud Carbajal, state Sen. Monique Limón and Assemblyman Gregg Hart.
Local leaders included Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte, Buellton Mayor David Silva, Carpinteria Mayor Natalia Alarcon and others.
Christian Alonso, who chairs the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party, opened the event by speaking about the history of Labor Day and the contributions of unions.
“None of the rights we have today that we take for granted just fell from the sky,” Alonso said. “Do you all like the weekend? Yes? Thank a labor union. You like paid sick leave and paid family leave? Yes? Thank a labor union.”
The event also allowed local candidates to talk to the crowd and explain their platforms.
Santa Barbara Councilwoman Kristen Sneddon, who is running for mayor, spoke about her commitment to opposing President Donald Trump’s policies and goals.
She spoke about the need for affordable housing, fair wages, and better protections against fires and climate change. Sneddon also touted her experience as a professor at Santa Barbara City College and her time on the City Council.
“I am a person who has (a nine-year) track record of fighting hard for community, fighting hard to keep us here, and I have a vision for our future,” Sneddon said. “I don’t want to go backwards. I will not go backwards. We as a community deserve a vision moving forward.”
Also speaking were Santa Barbara City Council candidates Devon Wardlow, Ian Baucke and Gabe Escobedo. Wardlow is running for the District 4 seat, Baucke is seeking the District 5 seat and Gabe Escobedo is running in District 6.
Lompoc City Councilman Jeremy Ball was also in attendance. He is running for Lompoc mayor against incumbent James “Jim” Mosby.
Ball spoke about redeveloping the city to make it more appealing to residents and visitors.
He blamed the “old boys club” in Lompoc for looking the other way while predatory landlords come into the city and take advantage of hardworking people.
He said there is nothing wrong with Lompoc, but people have lost faith that the local government can work for them. Ball spoke of young people who are frustrated with the city.
“They don’t think the future looks bright for them in Lompoc. We have to stand up for them,” Ball said. “We have to stand up for young families, so that their kids, my kids, everyone’s kids might have the chance to say that they’re proud to be from Lompoc down the road.”
From Buellton were Silva, District 1 candidate Billy Sivola and Vice Mayor Carla Mead.
Mead is running unopposed for her seat in District 4. Silva is running against Dave King, who Silva ousted in 2024 to become mayor.
Silva said that in his short time as mayor, the city has built 189 new housing units. He spoke about obtaining $1.4 million to build a bike trail from Buellton to Solvang, funding arts, and supporting Meals on Wheels in the city.
He added that the city is funding the local children’s museum and the aquatic center.
“We did it with our reserves funded and the lowest sales tax in the (county). So, if they say you can’t do democratic values without bankrupting the place, no, you can do it if you invest and you work hard with it,” Silva said.
“So, do not let them say that our values come at the cost of being fiduciary responsible.”
Closing the event was Assemblyman Hart, who spoke about state initiatives during Gov. Gavin Newsom’s last year in office.
Hart told the crowd that the state is investing $2.4 billion in education for students between kindergarten and high school. He added that it was the largest investment in education in the state’s history.
He also said the state is investing in housing, which Hart said is the issue he hears about most from the public.
He asked the attendees to support the state by voting for Proposition 1 and Proposition 37.
Proposition 1 is an $11.25 billion general bond to help fund affordable housing. Proposition 37 would authorize $25 billion in bonds for mortgage assistance for California residents.
“We’re making an unprecedented investment at the state level in affordable housing programs,” Hart said. “Trying to cut red tape. Trying to really kick-start the ability to provide housing to people who need it.”
Hart finished by speaking about the need to protect California’s coastline from the Trump administration’s efforts to seize state lands to benefit Sable Offshore Corp.
Hart said California is proof that a state can have a booming economy and protect its natural resources.
“The choice that the Trump administration often poses is there’s a conflict between environmental regulation and an economy,” Hart said. “That is a lie, and California is proof of that, and it’s important for California to stand up against the Trump administration every day.”
