Santa Barbara City Councilwoman Kristen Sneddon is running for mayor, challenging incumbent Randy Rowse.

Sneddon, raised in Santa Barbara, has been elected twice to the City Council.

The election is Nov. 3, 2026.

“Santa Barbara is a city of extraordinary beauty and strong community spirit,” Sneddon said in a statement. “Our future depends on balancing care for people, our environment and our local economy.

“I believe together we can build a resilient, compassionate city where everyone who contributes to Santa Barbara can afford to call it home and where our diverse communities are celebrated.”

Sneddon has been a strong supporter of rent control and is currently pushing for an ordinance to cap annual rent increase. She has also supported stronger budget transparency and keeping downtown State Street closed to vehicles.

She supports more affordable housing and financial support for immigrant families separated by deportation operations.

Sneddon filed her election paperwork on Friday and announced her campaign for mayor during a weekend interview of Newsmakers with Jerry Roberts.

Rowse was a council member from 2010 through 2019 and has been mayor since 2022.

Rowse has not formally filed for re-election, but has said in interviews that he plans to seek another term. Other candidates are expected to come forward to run for the seat.

“I deeply love this community and believe Santa Barbara deserves leadership that is proactive and focused on a future that is resilient, compassionate, and sustainable — a Santa Barbara where seniors, families, workers, and businesses not only want to stay, but can stay,” Sneddon added in a statement.

“I am focused on leadership that listens and acts.”