Candidates Spend Thousands on Campaign Ads for First Contested Judge Seat Since 2008

Candidates in Santa Barbara County’s rare contested judge race have each spent at least $10,000 on election advertising, according to campaign finance records.

The Superior Court seat on Tuesday’s ballot positions longtime Judge Thomas Adams, 85, against Santa Barbara private attorney Luis Esparza, 46.

Whoever wins will start a six-year term starting in January. Hear from the candidates about why they want the job, and why they think voters should support them.

Both men have spent months fundraising for their campaigns. They’ve spent money on websites and local media advertising.

Adams has raised about $43,300 as of late May, which includes a $10,000 loan from a family member, $5,900 from the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association and $5,900 from the Misho Law Group of Santa Barbara. His website shows endorsements from fellow Superior Court judges and local attorneys, among others.

Esparza has raised about $18,800 as of late May, which includes $2,000 from Esparza Law Group, his own firm, and D&A Enterprise, a Goleta business. He has spent thousands on local media advertising to boost his campaign’s visibility, as has Adams.

Santa Barbara County has not had a contested judge election since 2008, when Jed Beebe was elected after a November runoff election against John MacKinnon.

Beebe is still a Superior Court judge in Santa Maria.

With few contested elections, most new judges join the Santa Barbara County Superior Court by governor appointment to fill vacancies from retirements or resignations.

That includes: