Santa Barbara City Election Roundup

Santa Barbara City Council election results are certified this week, marking the official end to what was one of the city’s most unorthodox elections yet. Between a weeklong wait for results, a newbie’s eight-vote lead over an incumbent, and a mild case of vote-by-mail hysteria, it was an election to remember.

Alejandra Gutierrez, the Eastside native who runs the Franklin Service Center, squeaked by with just eight votes over incumbent Jason Dominguez, who is now putting his focus full force toward campaigning for State Assembly. The diminutive margin is a reflection of the city’s hyper-local political focus since it switched from at-large to district elections four years ago.

“District elections are problematic,” said Councilmember Randy Rowse, who is leaving the council after terming out at nine years. “Districts 3 and 6 didn’t have anyone to run against them, and the eight-vote margin might have put Alejandra in the seat but doesn’t make people feel confident.”