Santa Maria City Council District 1 · Nov 3, 2026
Celest Mendoza
Candidate for City Council District 1
Celest Mendoza is running for Santa Maria City Council District 1 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Ricardo Batalla and Gary Janek Michaels.
Vote-by-mail ballots mailed to all eligible voters (Oct. 5 to Oct. 27) · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayProgram manager in workforce development at Goodwill Industries, where she has worked for five years. She also serves on the board of the Lompoc Teen Center.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Manager, Non-Profit
- Endorsed by
- North Santa Barbara County Manufactured Homeowners Team; United Domestic Workers Union; Santa Barbara Young Democrats; Shatter PAC; Planned Parenthood Central Coast Action Fund; Santa Barbara County Democratic Party; Cause Action Fund. Celest Mendoza campaign site
- Campaign website
- www.celest4district1.com
Where Celest Mendoza stands: positions on the record
Affordability1 sourced position
Lists affordability as a top priority and says she reads the city budget line by line to find relief.
“I read the budget past the headline numbers, line by line, to find where real relief is actually possible.”
Own statementCelest Mendoza campaign site
Accountability1 sourced position
Says she sets public milestones for city plans.
“I set real, public milestones — and I have the uncomfortable conversations it takes to hit them.”
Own statementCelest Mendoza campaign site
Working together1 sourced position
Says residents with different opinions need to find ways to work together.
“We all have our opinions, and that's totally fine. But it's how do we work together?”
Own statementKEYT · Sep 29, 2026
Also running for City Council District 1
- Ricardo Batalla (incumbent)
- Gary Janek Michaels
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