Santa Barbara Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Wendy Sims-Moten
Candidate for Mayor
Wendy Sims-Moten is running for mayor of Santa Barbara in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Eric Friedman, Kristen W. Sneddon and Matt Kilrain.
Vote-by-mail ballots mailed and ballot drop-off locations open · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayExecutive director of First 5 Santa Barbara County and former Santa Barbara Unified school board member. Served on the school board from 2016 until December 2024.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Executive Director
- Campaign website
- www.simsmoten4mayor.com
Where Wendy Sims-Moten stands: positions on the record
Rent stabilization2 sourced positions
as reported by Noozhawk; not a direct quote
Said she supports trying to stabilize rent costs and thinks the ordinance should have a sunset date so the city can look back at whether it is working.
Own statementNoozhawk
as reported by SB Newsmakers; not a direct quote except the quoted words
Said rent stabilization could be a pause that lets people come together, adding that she does not know all the specifics of the measures.
“perhaps the rent stabilization is a pause that allows us to come together.”
Own statementSB Newsmakers · Aug 13, 2026
State Street1 sourced position
as reported by Noozhawk; not a direct quote except the quoted words
Said the State Street conversation should move away from cars versus no cars so other priorities are not overshadowed.
“Let’s make a decision because it takes over everything,”
Own statementNoozhawk
Budget and reserves1 sourced position
as reported by SB Newsmakers; not a direct quote except the quoted words
Said that after a recent sales tax increase, people can get taxed out.
“I think people get taxed out”
Own statementSB Newsmakers · Aug 13, 2026
Ranked-choice voting1 sourced position
as reported by SB Newsmakers; not a direct quote except the quoted words
Said the city should not create election systems that eliminate the voter's choice, and suggested a primary instead.
“I think it is so important that we don’t create systems that eliminate the voter’s choice”
Own statementSB Newsmakers · Aug 13, 2026
Also running for Mayor
All 15 Santa Barbara candidates →Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →
See something wrong? Report an error
Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.