Santa Barbara County’s June primary delivered clear leads in several marquee contests and razor-thin margins in others, with ballots still being counted and final outcomes in a few races likely to hinge on late-arriving vote-by-mail totals.
In the congressional contest, incumbent Democrat Salud Carbajal leads with 54.1 percent of the county vote in his bid for a sixth term. First-time Republican challenger Bob Smith is in second at 38.5 percent, while progressive candidates Sarah Bacon and Helen Pasquarella have 5.7 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively. Districtwide, Carbajal stands at 53.7 percent to Smith’s 38.9 percent.
Rep. Salud Carbajal introducing the “Degrees Not Debt” Act at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria (courtesy photo)
Carbajal has drawn criticism from some progressives over his support for military aid to Israel. In a statement after the initial results posted, he thanked supporters and pledged to focus on affordability issues heading into November, arguing that “Donald Trump and the Republican Party have pushed disastrous policies, tariffs, and wars that made housing, groceries, gas, and healthcare far too expensive.” He added: “I am determined to reverse those terrible policies and deliver commonsense solutions that actually help families,” and reiterated his endorsement of Xavier Becerra for governor.
In the State Assembly race, Democratic Assemblymember Gregg Hart appears on track for a second term, leading Republican Sari Domingues 60.54 percent to 39.33 percent countywide; districtwide, Hart leads 60.1 percent to 39.33 percent.
The county’s courtroom race remains extremely close. Judge Thomas Reagan Adams Jr. holds a slim advantage at 50.35 percent over attorney Luis Esparza at 49.33 percent.
Two seats on the Board of Supervisors were on the ballot. In the 2nd District, incumbent Democrat Laura Capps won decisively with 76.05 percent against 21-year-old Republican challenger Elijah Mack. In a statement celebrating her reelection, Capps said she was “deeply grateful for the trust this community has placed in me,” and highlighted priorities including affordable housing, transitioning away from fossil fuels, and supporting immigrant families.
Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps (courtesy photo)
In the 5th District—where Supervisor Steve Lavagnino is not seeking another term to represent Santa Maria and Guadalupe—Santa Maria school board member Ricardo Valencia leads with 36.73 percent, followed by Santa Maria City Councilmember Maribel Aguilera at 33.39 percent and Cory Bantilan, a former Lavagnino staffer, at 29.43 percent. With no candidate near a majority, the top two finishers are poised to advance to November. Valencia publicly thanked his team and volunteers, writing, “Wow! Just completely floored by the selflessness and dedication demonstrated by our amazing team of staff and volunteers! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!”
Countywide offices also produced split outcomes. County Recorder Melinda Greene is on track to unseat her longtime boss, Joe Holland, who has served as the county’s clerk, recorder, and assessor since 2003. Greene leads with 59.12 percent to Holland’s 40.51 percent. The auditor-controller race is even tighter: challenger Kyle Slattery is ahead of two-term incumbent Betsy Schaffer, 51.33 percent to 48.31 percent.
Kyle Slattery campaigning in Santa Barbara County (courtesy photo)
Voters weighed in on key local measures as well. In the City of Santa Barbara, Measure A2026 holds a solid lead with 66.79 percent in favor to 33.21 percent opposed. A “yes” vote supported amending the Santa Barbara City Charter to remove the requirement that certain city property leases and contracts longer than 50 years receive voter approval.
In Lompoc, residents are leaning no on Measure B, with 53.36 percent opposed and 46.64 percent in support of a proposed additional 0.5 percent sales tax for 15 years to fund the maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of streets, roads, alleys, and related infrastructure.
Statewide Races
Governor: Democrat Xavier Becerra ended the night ahead after trading leads with Republican Steve Hilton, hitting key benchmarks early as late mail ballots still to be counted could lift Democrat Tom Steyer. Gubernatorial hopefuls Katie Porter, Matt Mahan, and Antonio Villaraigosa conceded within an hour of polls closing.
Los Angeles mayor: Karen Bass advanced decisively. Her November opponent remains undecided between Republican reality TV personality Spencer Pratt and Democratic City Council member Nithya Raman. Bass celebrated with supporters, dancing onstage.
Down-ballot statewide: Democrat Fiona Ma holds a sizable lead for lieutenant governor over Democrats Josh Fryday and Michael Tubbs, with Republican Gloria Romero currently ahead for the second spot. Eleni Kounalakis has a commanding edge in the state treasurer race and is expected to face Republican Jennifer Hawks in November. For state superintendent, CTA-backed Democrat Richard Barrera and “parental-rights” advocate Sonja Shaw are leading their parties.
Congress: In San Francisco, Scott Wiener and Connie Chan will face off in November to succeed Nancy Pelosi. Chan, a city supervisor and Pelosi’s chosen successor, defeated Saikat Chakrabarti, a former tech engineer.
Santa Barbara County Voting Numbers
Election Summary Report by Santa Barbara County as of 11:46 p.m. on June 2, 2026
Elector Group
Counting Group
Cards Cast
Voters Cast
Registered Voters
Turnout
Total
Poll
7,613
7,613
3.04%
Mail
59,488
59,488
23.77%
Total
67,101
67,101
250,289
26.81%
United States Representative District 24 (Vote for 1)
Candidate
Poll
Mail
Total
SALUD CARBAJAL
2,743
31,476
34,219
53.28%
BOB SMITH
3,299
21,541
24,840
38.68%
SARAH BACON
817
3,220
4,037
6.29%
HELENA PASQUARELLA
240
864
1,104
1.72%
Write-in
11
13
24
0.04%
State Assembly District 37 (Vote for 1)
Candidate
Poll
Mail
Total
GREGG HART
3,598
34,800
38,398
60.54%
SARI DOMINGUES
3,391
21,557
24,948
39.33%
Write-in
10
73
83
0.13%
Judge of the Superior Court, Office 2
Candidate
Poll
Mail
Total
THOMAS REAGAN ADAMS, JR.
2,856
25,386
28,242
50.35%
LUIS ESPARZA
3,200
24,470
27,670
49.33%
Write-in
41
135
176
0.31%
County Superintendent of Schools
Candidate
Poll
Mail
Total
SUSAN C. SALCIDO
4,275
35,421
39,696
95.64%
Write-in
246
1,562
1,808
4.36%
County Supervisor 2nd District
Candidate
Poll
Mail
Total
LAURA KAROLINA CAPPS
1,079
10,495
11,574
76.05%
ELIJAH MACK
363
3,236
3,599
23.65%
County Supervisor 5th District
Candidate
Poll
Mail
Total
RICARDO VALENCIA
279
1,417
1,696
36.73%
MARIBEL AGUILERA
214
1,328
1,542
33.39%
CORY BANTILAN
199
1,160
1,359
29.43%
Write-in
0
21
21
0.45%
Auditor-Controller
Candidate
Poll
Mail
Total
KYLE SLATTERY
3,063
26,058
29,121
51.33%
BETSY M. SCHAFFER
2,881
24,525
27,406
48.31%
Write-in
38
164
202
0.36%
Clerk, Recorder and Assessor
Candidate
Poll
Mail
Total
MELINDA GREENE
3,440
31,141
34,581
59.12%
JOSEPH E. HOLLAND
2,628
21,065
23,693
40.51%
Treasurer-Tax Collector-Public Administrator
Candidate
Poll
Mail
Total
KIMBERLY A. TESORO
4,811
40,849
45,660
98.36%
Write-in
135
626
761
1.64%
Measure A2026 City Of Santa Barbara Charter Amendment
Candidate
Poll
Mail
Total
YES
653
8,518
9,171
66.79%
NO
398
4,163
4,561
33.21%
Measure B2026 Lompoc Street Repair And Maintenance Measure
Bass advancing decisively is absolutely shocking, even for democrats.
You moved to LA? Do you have something against women of color in elected positions? Maybe you should pick a candidate that you like and vote for them. The problem with most Republican candidates these days is they are Q’Anon MAGAcans and are unlikeable and unelectable. The Republican party has become a cesspool of hate and corruption.
She’s just a poor mayor. Nothing whatsoever to do with race. Playing that card every time is just pathetic.
How depressing that we are likely to elect an EIGHTY FIVE YEAR OLD judge. Wtf are we doing?? Can we start putting age on the ballots? Do people realize how old this man is? Insane……
That 85 year old judge is far more capable and intelligent than our 80 year old president. Why do we keep electing old, stupid men to run our country is the better question.
Judge Adams may be on in his years but that doesn’t make him unqualified.
I disagree. Advanced age is a disqualification to me. We need age limits for all elected officials, not just those at the national level. A local judge has the power to make or break someone’s life based on their decisions. Competency is paramount, and assuming an 85 yo man will be undeniably competent for the next six!! years is foolish. The problem is not when his brain goes funny in an obvious way. It is the months or years before that where decline is happening slowly in imperceptible increments, yet he is still making decisions that will effect others for years to come. It is dangerous and stupid to elect octogenarians.
So, you voted for Harris then, right?
Agree. 85 is too old. But hey, some folks always like that nice status quo. Woke.
Adams has been a good judge and hopefully will continue to be but I do think he should have stepped down voluntarily. I had the same thought about Joe Holland, and am glad that Greene won–hopefully she can improve our dismal turnout numbers.
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Bass advancing decisively is absolutely shocking, even for democrats.
You moved to LA? Do you have something against women of color in elected positions? Maybe you should pick a candidate that you like and vote for them. The problem with most Republican candidates these days is they are Q’Anon MAGAcans and are unlikeable and unelectable. The Republican party has become a cesspool of hate and corruption.
She’s just a poor mayor. Nothing whatsoever to do with race. Playing that card every time is just pathetic.
How depressing that we are likely to elect an EIGHTY FIVE YEAR OLD judge. Wtf are we doing?? Can we start putting age on the ballots? Do people realize how old this man is? Insane……
That 85 year old judge is far more capable and intelligent than our 80 year old president. Why do we keep electing old, stupid men to run our country is the better question.
Judge Adams may be on in his years but that doesn’t make him unqualified.
I disagree. Advanced age is a disqualification to me. We need age limits for all elected officials, not just those at the national level. A local judge has the power to make or break someone’s life based on their decisions. Competency is paramount, and assuming an 85 yo man will be undeniably competent for the next six!! years is foolish. The problem is not when his brain goes funny in an obvious way. It is the months or years before that where decline is happening slowly in imperceptible increments, yet he is still making decisions that will effect others for years to come. It is dangerous and stupid to elect octogenarians.
So, you voted for Harris then, right?
Agree. 85 is too old. But hey, some folks always like that nice status quo. Woke.
Adams has been a good judge and hopefully will continue to be but I do think he should have stepped down voluntarily. I had the same thought about Joe Holland, and am glad that Greene won–hopefully she can improve our dismal turnout numbers.
https://www.independent.com/2026/05/27/a-rare-bid-to-unseat-a-santa-barbara-county-judge/
I agree, we need age limits for all elected officials. And we need more support for younger people to get into elected offices.