Santa Barbara City Councilman Eric Friedman was on a 15-mile paddle with the Santa Barbara Outrigger Canoe Club from Leadbetter Beach to More Mesa Beach, a ride he did countless times before. This time was different.

“My heart just gave out,” he said. Friedman passed out on the canoe during that outing. Rather than calling Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol for rescue, Friedman’s coach Cory Simpson made the split-second decision to paddle Friedman in.

They paddled him to shore near the Santa Barbara Yacht Club and another “miracle” occurred: A Los Angeles City firefighter, Scott Beck, was walking his dog on the beach just as Friedman was pulled in. Beck performed CPR and the ambulances arrived shortly after.

That’s the story as told to Friedman. He doesn’t remember any of it. But the experience in April has brought him a newfound wisdom and view on life.

“Every day is a bonus day,” Friedman.

Friedman shared new details of his ordeal in the latest episode of Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina. Friedman, a moderate Democrat councilman who grew up in Lompoc, now has his sights set on higher office, either running for mayor or First District Santa Barbara County Supervisor.

“A year ago there were two things that were certain, that Das Williams was going to get re-elected and I was in perfect health,” Friedman said. “Life has other plans. Right now I am strongly considering both options, mayor and county supervisor.”

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Roy Lee upset entrenched politician Williams for the First District seat. Lee, a former Carpinteria City Councilman, is in his first year as supervisor, and has three more years in his first term.

Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse’s term is up next year and Rowse has said that he does plan to run for a second term as mayor.

“The new mentality I have is not what do I want to do in life, it’s what is life calling me to do,” Friedman said.

Friedman also pulls no punches in this podcast talking about:

  • Paseo Nuevo
  • State Street
  • La Cumbre Plaza
  • The eight-story housing development proposed behind the Santa Barbara Mission
  • President Trump
  • Immigration and recent deportation events
  • Family

Joshua Molina is a journalist and college instructor who interviews a wide variety of people on the issues of education, housing, politics, culture and business. Molina is a former reporter at the San Jose Mercury News. He also teaches community college. Visit SantaBarbaraTalks.com to sign up for his newsletter and make a contribution to this individually owned podcast.