Economist and UCSB lecturer Lanny Ebenstein explains how the new Santa Barbara County supervisorial district maps will affect voters, and potential political candidates.
Ebenstein predicts that the entire balance of power will be shifted with the new map for the third supervisorial district, which traditionally has been occupied by a Democrat.
Ebenstein also talks about how the new maps could spark an Assembly run for current District 2 Supervisor Gregg Hart, opening the door for Santa Barbara City Council candidates Eric Friedman and Meagan Harmon to run for Second District Supervisor.
“I think they would be two leading candidates for that second supervisorial seat,” Ebenstein said.
Under the preferred map, Isla Vista would get shifted from the Third District to the Second District. Isla Vista, and the high population of UCSB students, usually votes more liberally than the rest of the current Third District.
“The days of three South Coast supervisors are over in Santa Barbara County,” Ebenstein said. “I think it is just best to acknowledge that and move on.”
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