A political newcomer took a substantial lead in voting results for Tuesday’s rare summer special election to fill a vacancy on the Buellton City Council. 

Carla Mead, a community volunteer, received 246 votes, or 62%, according to semi-official results from the Santa Barbara County Elections Division. The city hired the county to conduct the election, which is standard.

Dave King, a retired California Highway Patrol officer who also spent 12 years on the panel as a council member and mayor, garnered 150 votes, or 38%. 

While results won’t be final for a few weeks and another update to include any lagging ballots is expected Friday, Mead had a 24% lead Tuesday night.

“I’m beyond ecstatic that so many people decided that I was the candidate that they believed in,” Mead said Tuesday night. “I know that this is a big responsibility, and I’m going to do everything that I can to work very hard to make all those voters proud of me.”

She pledged to do what she thinks is best for Buellton.

“I’m going to try to represent all of the people of Buellton the very best I can,” she added. “I’m just so appreciative to everyone, so thank you.”

She serves on the board for the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/DAWG in addition to teaching pilates, working at a winery and serving as a private tutor.

Mead, who grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania, previously worked as a middle school teacher for 20 years. 

King could not be reached for comment Tuesday night. 

As of early Tuesday afternoon, the county had received about 400 ballots, according to Martin Cobos, chief deputy registrar of voters for the county’s Election Division.

Buellton’s District 4 has 888 registered voters, Cobos added.

County staff will tally any additional ballots, and more results are expected Friday afternoon. Ballots could be turned in at the county drop box in front of City Hall until 8 p.m. Tuesday or submitted by mail with a 5 p.m. Tuesday postmark to be counted.

The District 4 seat has been vacant since late last year when David Silva won a bid to become mayor, besting King. 

The four council members attempted to appoint a replacement, with Mead and King among the initial applicants. However, the four members deadlocked with Silva and Councilwoman Elysia Lewis supporting Mead, and Councilmen John Sanchez and Hudson Hornick backing King. 

Unable to end the tie, the council moved toward holding the special election, an option typically avoided because of the cost and length of time.

Only registered voters in District 4 participated in the special election with vote-by-mail ballots and no in-person locations. 

District 4 encompasses the eastern areas of the city, including the neighborhoods of Village Townhomes, Thumbelina Village and Ballard Canyon. The district also includes the area west of Highway 101, on the west side of Jonata Park Road and Central Avenue, including The Village Square Townhouses, Oakside Lane Townhomes, Central Plaza Condominiums and Central Gardens Townhomes. 

The new council member will take the oath of office and begin the term during the Sept. 25 meeting. The term will end in late 2026, so the winner would have to run for election to continue to serve.

The council vacancy also has left one empty seat on the Buellton Planning Commission. However, the city has started advertising for applicants, with a Sept. 12 deadline.

Applications are available at cityofbuellton.com and at Buellton City Hall, 107 W. Highly 246. For more information on the Planning Commission vacancy, click here.