Surprising his colleagues and city staff, Santa Maria Councilman Carlos Escobedo resigned abruptly and immediately Tuesday night.
Escobedo, who served on the council since 2020, said his action came because of a move outside District 1, the northwest section of the city to which he was elected to represent.
“Due to my upcoming move outside District 1, I will no longer meet the residency requirements necessary to continue serving in this role,” Escobedo said, adding that the resignation was effective Tuesday.
“While this decision comes with mixed emotions, I believe that stepping down is the appropriate and responsible course of action. Serving the residents of District 1 and the broader Santa Maria community has been a tremendous honor.
“I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me and the opportunity to work alongside dedicated staff and the community partners in service to our city.”
He added that he remained committed to supporting a smooth transition before his departure.
After reading the written statement, Escobedo stood up and left the meeting.
“So that’s effective now?” Councilwoman Gloria Soto asked as Escobedo left. “Wow.”
City Attorney Tom Watson said he would prepare a memo about the council’s options.
“I’m equally surprised,” Watson said.
Escobedo was re-elected to a second four-year term in 2024. His resignation came with more than two years left on his term.
Typically, a council has 60 days to appoint someone to fill the vacancy or call for a special election, a costly and time-consuming option typically avoided.
Some cities solicit applications and conduct public interviews to fill a vacancy. Others look to prior elections. The state rules remain vague on the specific methods to select a candidate.
For the 2024 election, Escobedo led the field of three candidates, with attorney Maria Salguero receiving 35.6% and Adilene Rojas-Alejo with 6%.
Whether they appoint someone to fill the seat or leave it vacant until November, the resignation means the District 1 slot will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot as a two-year term.
Other seats on the ballot this fall are now filled by Soto, who joined the council in 2018 and is nearing the end of her second term for District 3, and Maribel Aguilera, who has served since 2022 representing District 4.
Soto’s and Aguilera’s terms expire at the end of this year.
The winners of the elections this fall will join Mayor Alice Patio and Councilwoman Gloria Flores, whose four-year terms end in 2028.