The American Institute of Architects Santa Barbara Chapter and partners from Downtown Organization of Santa Barbara, Coastal Housing Coalition, and American Planning Association Central Coast Section have collaborated to organize two virtual forums on two separate evenings — one for mayoral candidates and one for council candidates in Districts 4, 5 and 6.

The mayoral forum will be 5-6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18; the City Council forum, 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20. To attend the mayoral forum register here. To hear the council candidates register here.

The forums are designed to give community members an opportunity to ask questions and hear from candidates on important local issues such as housing, homelessness, economic vitality, and climate crisis.

Questions from the audience will be collected and posed to the candidates as determined by the moderator. given time available. Moderator will be Brian Johnson, president of the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors.

The following candidates have confirmed attendance:

City Council:                            Mayor:
Jason Carlton Dist. 6                David Matthew Kilrain
Eric Friedman Dist. 5               Mayor Cathy Murillo
Meagan Harmon Dist. 6           Randy Rowse
Nina Johnson Dist. 6                Deborah Schwartz
Barrett Reed Dist. 4                  Mark M Whitehurst
Kristin Sneddon Dist. 4           

Ballots arrive the week of Oct. 4. Voting must be done by Nov. 2.