In a storyline that seems more appropriate for a Netflix drama than Santa Barbara, a martial arts instructor is challenging one of his former students for the District 3 spot on the Santa Barbara City Council.

Tony Becerra, a longtime Westside business owner, shocked many people by deciding to run for office and challenge Oscar Gutierrez, who has served since 2018.

In many ways, the two are similar. They both grew up on the Westside and can walk down the street and see many familiar faces. They are both Mexican-American, friendly and first-generation Americans.

However, on policy they come from different planets.

Becerra opposes a 2% rent cap on rising rents. Gutierrez supports one. Gutierrez favors a half-cent sales tax increase on the November ballot. Becerra does not. Gutierrez wants to keep most of downtown State Street closed to vehicles. Becerra says open it up.

Becerra is a former Republican, but now registered as an independent. Gutierrez is a Democrat. They will face off on Nov. 5, however, in what is shaping up to be an intriguing and competitive contest for the right to represent the Westside.

Oscar Gutierrez

A San Marcos High School graduate, Gutierrez jumped from working as a producer at TV Santa Barbara to a member of the City Council. He was elected in 2018 with 1,007 votes, beating out three other challengers. It was a special election, to replace Cathy Murillo, who was elected mayor.

When it came time for Gutierrez to run again, a year later, he was appointed to the seat because he didn’t have an opponent.

Since winning office, Gutierrez has prided himself on more community events and responding to more constituent emails than any candidate before him.

“My biggest accomplishments so far include becoming the most accessible and responsive council member in our city’s history, earning the most endorsements from local organizations, influential community members and elected officials,” Gutierrez said.

He has never missed a council meeting. On the dais, he is often quiet, although he will speak out on issues that he is concerned about, such as housing and equity-related matters.

At one point, he questioned the executive director of the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market during talks of where to relocate. He wanted to know data on how many people of color attended the market.

Last year, after some people spoke racial slurs during remote public comment, the city, led by Rebecca Bjork and Mayor Randy Rowse, moved to halt remote public comment.

Gutierrez objected, saying he would prefer to allow public comment, even if it potentially could be offensive. He’s also proud of an app on which he worked with the city’s IT team to allow members of the public to report concerns that they see around the community.

“I’ve also helped open school campuses after hours, supported homeless advocacy, and created programs for youth, while continuously defending tenant rights and local businesses,” Gutierrez said.

The councilman supports a rent cap, backs a half-cent sales tax and is a proponent of leaving downtown State Street closed to vehicles.

“The demographics that are wanting cars back on State Street, they are not the demographics spending money, so even if we did open State Street back up to cars, the people who are wanting it open to cars again aren’t going to be spending money at those stores because those stores aren’t for them,” Gutierrez said at a recent candidates forum.

He is endorsed by the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the Sierra Club and others.

“My vision includes advocating for projects like a new Westside Neighborhood Clinic and Community Center, improving parking regulations and increasing affordable housing,” Gutierrez said.

He is friendly with Becerra, although he was surprised that his former karate instructor challenged him. Gutierrez spent many hours in Becerra’s dojo.

Tony Becerra

Becerra is a household name on Santa Barbara’s Westside, but will that be enough to pull off an upset of an incumbent on Nov. 5?

Becerra has run his dojo for nearly 30 years, but his emergence as a council candidate turned heads. In many ways, he’s the business owner who wondered why government wasn’t taking care of his community and decided to step up and run himself. He calls himself “the squeaky wheel.”

“As a Santa Barbara native and Westside businessman for the last 28 years, I have seen a huge decline in our neighborhood and business district,” Becerra said. “The Westside’s main street, San Andres Street, is in horrible condition. “

He said the city has neglected San Andres Street, adding that there are not enough safe crosswalks or lighting.

“I can no longer allow our community to be ignored,” Becerra said.

He opposes rent control, the proposed sales tax and believes part of State Street should be open to vehicles.

“I know a lot of people who I grew up with who do not go to State Street because they are worried about their kids getting run over by bicycles, they are worried about safety, not enough police patrolling down there,” Becerra said.

He said political leaders have neglected the downtown area so locals no longer go downtown.

“Who do you think is going to be spending most of the money? The locals,” he said.

He has gained support from property owners, and, surprisingly, took a key endorsement from Gutierrez — the Santa Barbara City Firefighters Association.

“I plan to stand up for our first responders,” Becerra said. “Fighting for a fully equipped force, both fire and police, will be a focus of my leadership. How many fires, mudslides or acts of violence do we need in this town before we realize the importance of keeping us safe?”

Becerra jumped into the contest late. He was not living in the district until the week he submitted his papers. Although he maintained a business on the Westside, he has hopped around, living on the Westside and Eastside, in Goleta and, most recently, in Buellton. He said he was evicted during the COVID-19 pandemic and decided to move to Buellton. He now lives on San Andres Street.

Regardless of where he has lived, there’s no doubting Becerra’s ties to the community.

“My district has the lowest voter turnout, and that needs to change,” Becerra said. “I’m currently pushing for a ‘get out the vote’ event because without a unified voice, things will not change, and we will continue to be neglected.”

Becerra said he has respect for Gutierrez but that serving on the City Council requires more than just showing up to events.

“I have a record of being a unifier and a leader in our community,” Becerra said. “I will work with my community to get us to a level of improvements we deserve.”