The Lobero Theatre will be the host of Spotlight, Santa Barbara’s newly envisioned speaker series, that opens with a talk by political columnist Dan Walters, 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5.

Walters is the most decorated and widely syndicated columnist in California history.

Started by Brian Goebel, public policy professor and Montecito Water District Board member; and Jeff Giordano, contributor to the Montecito Journal Community Voice, Spotlight is designed to introduce nationally recognized thought leaders that “provoke thought and inspire change.”

In his talk, CA Politics: Past, Present & Future, Walters will draw on his decades of political and social insights to discuss the hottest topics facing California politics today.

“For years, Dan has offered his analysis concerning California’s political trends, and for the past eight years his weekly column has been published in CalMatters,” Spotlight organizers said.

His articles have been carried in The Wall Street Journal and TIME magazine, and he has appeared on CNN and Fox News. Walters and is also the author and co-author of “The New California: Facing the 21st Century” and “The Third House: Lobbyists, Money and Power in Sacramento.”

“A provocative and engaging political centrist, Dan promises an enlightening and entertaining evening to kick off our election year,” Spotlight said.

Topics will include: the Trump-Newsom Wars; Newsom’s Oil “flip-flop,” Local Housing Mandates, the Governor’s Race, the Democratic Party’s “Generational Rift.”

The event will be an interactive program hosted by Spotlight and Bill Macfadyen, the publisher of Noozhawk, an event sponsor.

“We’re excited to have someone as deeply embedded in CA politics as Dan Walters to kick things off for Spotlight,” said Goebel.

“While our series aims to bring a global perspective to politics, journalism, history and culture, there is no single person that we admire more than Dan Walters when it comes to California,” Giordano said.

Spotlight’s quest to expand Santa Barabara’s public square will continue with upcoming events tentatively planned in April, May and October. They intend to bring diverse and well-known voices to the community, some of whom will be announced at the Feb. 5 event.

Learn more about Spotlight Santa Barbara speaker series at www.Spotlightsb.com.