Valencia holds narrow lead over Aguilera in Santa Barbara supervisor race

Ricardo Valencia held a narrow early lead over Maribel Aguilera in the race for Santa Barbara County’s Fifth District supervisor seat, with roughly 50.6% to 48.9% in initial returns; the contest remained too close to call as ballots continued to be counted. The winner will succeed longtime Supervisor Steve Lavagnino, who is retiring after 16 years. Both candidates made affordable housing and greater attention to the district priorities, but they offered different approaches: Aguilera emphasized streamlining permits and reducing development barriers, while Valencia stressed building workforce housing through public partnerships. They also differed on immigration enforcement, with Valencia opposing the use of county resources to support ICE and Aguilera characterizing ICE oversight as a federal matter.