Santa Barbara City Council District 6 · Nov 3, 2026
Gabe Escobedo
Candidate for City Council District 6
Gabe Escobedo is running for Santa Barbara City Council District 6 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Alexander Stoeber, Anabella Lehne and Jason Carlton.
Vote-by-mail ballots mailed and ballot drop-off locations open · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayPresident of the Santa Barbara Unified School District Board of Education and former chair of the city Planning Commission. Also chaired the Santa Barbara Community Formation Commission.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- School Board Member
- Campaign website
- www.gabeforsb.com
Where Gabe Escobedo stands: positions on the record
Rent stabilization1 sourced position
as reported by SB Newsmakers; not a direct quote except the quoted words
Said he supports rent stabilization as one tool among the policies needed, not a silver bullet.
“if we want to protect what makes Santa Barbara so special, it’s about keeping the people who contribute to our community here.”
Own statementSB Newsmakers · Jul 13, 2026
State Street1 sourced position
as reported by SB Newsmakers; not a direct quote except the quoted words
Said State Street should stay closed permanently.
“I think it should stay closed permanently”
Own statementSB Newsmakers · Jul 13, 2026
Vacancy tax1 sourced position
as reported by SB Newsmakers; not a direct quote
Favors a commercial vacancy tax and an increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax.
Own statementSB Newsmakers · Jul 13, 2026
Budget and reserves1 sourced position
as reported by SB Newsmakers; not a direct quote except the quoted words
Said the city should ask whether each vacant position needs to be filled, and favors both rebuilding reserves and new revenue.
“anytime a position becomes vacant, ask yourself: is this a position that we need to fill?”
Own statementSB Newsmakers · Jul 13, 2026
Ranked-choice voting1 sourced position
as reported by SB Newsmakers; not a direct quote except the quoted words
Said ranked-choice voting is probably the gold standard and that he would support it.
“I think ranked-choice voting is, in my opinion, probably the gold standard.”
Own statementSB Newsmakers · Jul 13, 2026
Also running for City Council District 6
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