Santa Maria City Council District 1 · Nov 3, 2026
Ricardo Batalla
Candidate for City Council District 1 (incumbent)
Ricardo Batalla, the incumbent, is running for Santa Maria City Council District 1 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Celest Mendoza and Gary Janek Michaels.
Vote-by-mail ballots mailed to all eligible voters (Oct. 5 to Oct. 27) · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayYouth development director for the Santa Maria Valley YMCA, appointed to the District 1 council seat in April 2026. He has also worked as a special education teacher and a financial supervisor for the U.S. Postal Service.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Appointed Santa Maria City Councilmember District 1
- Endorsed by
- Santa Maria Police Officers Association; Santa Maria Police Association of Middle Management; Santa Maria Firefighters, Local 2020; LiUNA! Local 220; IBEW Local 413; UA Local 114; Central Coast Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Ricardo Batalla campaign site
- Campaign website
- richardbatalla.com
Ricardo Batalla was appointed to the District 1 seat in April 2026 after Carlos Escobedo resigned; the District 1 winner serves the rest of the term. Noozhawk · Aug 18, 2026
Where Ricardo Batalla stands: positions on the record
Measure C sales tax1 sourced position
Voted yes on calling the Nov. 3 election, including putting the half-cent sales tax question on the ballot (passed 4-0, June 2026).
Council voteSanta Maria City Council minutes, June 2, 2026 · Jun 2, 2026
City budget1 sourced position
Says one of his top priorities in balancing the budget is avoiding layoffs.
“One of my top priorities is to avoid layoffs.”
Own statementSanta Maria Times · Apr 14, 2026
Council pay2 sourced positions
Voted yes on adopting the ordinance raising City Council pay by $341.31 a month (passed 4-1, Sept. 2026).
Council voteSanta Maria City Council minutes, Sept. 1, 2026 · Sep 1, 2026
Said the council pay raise should have waited, possibly until December.
“I think we should have waited, maybe in December, bring it up to the drawing board”
Own statementKEYT · Aug 7, 2026
Aquatic center1 sourced position
Voted yes on leaving the proposed pool closure out of that night's budget discussion (passed 5-0, June 2026).
Council voteSanta Maria City Council minutes, June 2, 2026 · Jun 2, 2026
Housing and growth2 sourced positions
Voted yes on adopting the Santa Maria 2045 General Plan update and its environmental impact report (passed 5-0, May 2026).
Council voteSanta Maria City Council minutes, May 5, 2026 · May 5, 2026
Lists affordable housing as one of his core priorities.
“Affordable housing is essential to a strong and thriving Santa Maria.”
Own statementRicardo Batalla campaign site
Immigration1 sourced position
Says everyone in Santa Maria should feel safe and respected regardless of immigration status.
“Everyone in Santa Maria should feel safe and respected, regardless of their immigration status”
Own statementSanta Maria Times · Apr 14, 2026
What Ricardo Batalla said vs. how Ricardo Batalla voted
Council pay
In their words
Said the council pay raise should have waited, possibly until December.
Aug 7, 2026 ·KEYT · Aug 7, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on adopting the ordinance raising City Council pay by $341.31 a month (passed 4-1, Sept. 2026).
Sep 1, 2026 ·Santa Maria City Council minutes, Sept. 1, 2026 · Sep 1, 2026
Housing and growth
In their words
Lists affordable housing as one of his core priorities.
On the record
Voted yes on adopting the Santa Maria 2045 General Plan update and its environmental impact report (passed 5-0, May 2026).
May 5, 2026 ·Santa Maria City Council minutes, May 5, 2026 · May 5, 2026
Also running for City Council District 1
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