The race for the Fifth District seat on the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is heating up as both candidates have raised about $200,000 heading into the Nov. 3 election.
With a month until Election Day, major donors and political action committees have poured thousands of dollars into the race, which could shape the board’s direction for the next few years.
Candidates Maribel Aguilera and Ricardo Valencia are competing to represent District 5, which represents Santa Maria, Guadalupe, and the northernmost section of Santa Barbara County.
The seat is currently held by Supervisor Steve Lavagnino, who is retiring after his term ends this year.
Aguilera, a Santa Maria City Council member, and Valencia, a Santa Maria-Bonita School District board member, earned the most votes in June’s primary election and advanced to November’s runoff election. They came out ahead over the third candidate, Cory Bantilan.
Aguilera and Valencia have accumulated sizable campaign accounts from supporters who hope the cash will boost their choice to the top seat.
Aguilera uses the name Aguilera-Hernandez on the Santa Maria City Council.
Aguilera Campaign
Aguilera has received a total of $200,219 in 2026, according to county records. For the July 1-Sept. 19 period, she brought in $96,323 in campaign donations.
Records indicate that she had spent $163,000 this year and had about $122,000 left in her reserve.
Aguilera has compiled a list of endorsements over the course of the campaign, including first responder groups, local businesses, and members of the agricultural community.
Her endorsements include the Santa Maria Fire Department, Santa Maria Firefighters Local 2020, IAFF Local 2046, Santa Maria Police Officers’ Association, LiUNA! Local 220, United Domestic Workers of America, Local 729 SEIU, Central Coast Labor Council, and the Grower Shipper Association.
She is also endorsed by Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino and councilmembers Gloria Flores and Ricardo Batalla.
Recent campaign contributors include the Deputy Sheriffs Association Political Action Committee, which donated $5,900; the Santa Maria Firefighters Local 2020 PAC, which donated $2,500; $7,000 from DL Farm Management Inc.; $4,900 from the Grower Shipper Association of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties; $5,900 from Teixeira Farms Inc. of Santa Maria; $5,900 from Royal Oak Ag Services of Santa Maria; and $5,000 from TVJ Sons LLC.
Other large contributions included $5,000 from Carlos Castaneda of Castaneda and Sons of Nipomo, $5,900 from Ann Jett of Santa Ynez, a donation of $5,900 by Deborah Adams of Santa Maria, and $5,800 from Robert Murphy of Arizona.
Since the Sept. 19 report, the campaign has received $19,800 in additional contributions including $5,000 from the Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians and $5,900 from JDB Pro, Inc doing business as Central West Produce of Santa Maria.
Valencia Campaign
Valencia’s campaign has received $198,599 this year including $68,700 within the most recent filing period. He spent about $17,000 that period and had about $126,600 left.
County records show dozens of small-amount contributions from individuals as well as some larger donations.
His endorsements include political groups, such as the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party, Democratic Club of Santa Maria Valley, CAUSE Action Fund, California Working Families Party, and Indivisible Santa Maria.
The Democratic Club of Santa Maria Valley donated $600 to the Valencia campaign.
Other endorsements include Planned Parenthood Central Coast Action Fund, Sierra Club, and the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund.
Several labor unions have also endorsed Valencia, including IBEW Local 413, Plumbers and Pipefitters UA Local 114, Sheet Metal Workers Local 104, the Central Coast Labor Council, SEIU Local 620, and UDW Local 3930.
IBEW Local Union 413 contributed $4,000 to the campaign as well.
Valencia has also been endorsed by Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón, State Assemblymember Gregg Hart, and county supervisors Joan Hartmann and Laura Capps.
Recent donations include $5,000 from the campaign for Laura Capps for Santa Barbara County Supervisor and $1,000 from Gregg Hart for Assembly. Other significant campaign donations were given by Santa Maria residents Clifford Solomon, who donated $5,900, and Pamela Gates for the amount of $5,900.
New PAC Spends Big Money Opposing Valencia
Additional money has been spent to support Aguilera and oppose Valencia through a combination of social media and radio ads, and text messages.
The North County Jobs & Opportunity PAC was formed in November 2025 and is funding the media campaign. As of June 30, the PAC raised $41,250 and spent about $21,000.
Contributions to the PAC include $3,000 from the Deputy Sheriffs Association; $7,000 from the Santa Barbara County Republican Party; $10,000 from Sable Offshore Corp.; and $2,500 from PG&E.
These funds were not donated directly to either campaign but were spent to support one candidate and oppose another. Records show that $11,850 has been spent in support of Aguilera and about $29,857 has been spent opposing Valencia.
The organization’s filing paperwork said the PAC “is dedicated to supporting and electing seasoned leaders throughout Santa Barbara County who will provide steady, effective governance. Our goal is to build strong, resilient community through experienced leadership and informed decision-making.” The principal officers are Tony Guy of Santa Maria, Chip Wullbrandt of Ballard, and Glenn Morris of Santa Maria.
This PAC has not spent money on any other local races, according to county campaign finance records.
