Solvang Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
David
Brown
David Brown, the incumbent, is running for mayor of Solvang in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Denise El Amin.
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The race · Mayor
- 01Denise El Amin
- 02David BrownYou’re reading
Background
- About
- David Brown is a mortgage lender who has lived in the Santa Ynez Valley since 1991. He has a bachelor's degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and an MBA from Pepperdine.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Mayor, City Of Solvang
- Party
- Nonpartisan race. California Constitution, Article II, Section 6
- Campaign website
- www.solvangmayor.com
On the record: David Brown
16 sourced01Police services2 sourced positions
Voted yes to direct staff to negotiate a law enforcement services contract with the City of Lompoc, effective July 1, 2027 (passed 5-0, May 2026).
Council voteSolvang City Council minutes, May 26, 2026 · May 26, 2026LinkHow the council voted
as quoted by Noozhawk
Called the council's look at a Lompoc police contract exploratory.
Let’s keep in mind this is exploratory and we’re just trying to see is it worth staff time to pursue it,”
Own statementNoozhawk · May 28, 2026Link
02City boundaries2 sourced positions
Voted yes to begin working with LAFCO to explore changing the city's sphere of influence (passed 5-0, Aug. 2026).
Council voteSolvang City Council minutes, August 10, 2026 · Aug 10, 2026LinkHow the council voted
as quoted by KSBY
Said a city study shows opportunities to expand the sphere of influence and possibly the city limits, which would take work with LAFCO.
We have a study that shows that there are opportunities to expand our sphere of influence and potentially the city limit boundaries,”
Own statementKSBY · Oct 14, 2026Link
03Housing2 sourced positions
Says the city can minimize development costs to add housing supply, including multi-unit and ADU projects, within limits of city land and water.
We can minimize development costs for greater supply and housing inventory selection for multiunit or the single ADU project.”
Own statementDavid Brown for Solvang Mayor 2026 (campaign site)Link
as quoted by KSBY
Pointed to possible housing partnerships with Vandenberg Space Force Base.
I think there should be a huge opportunity partnering with Vandenberg Space Force Base with the needs that they have and the growth they're having,”
Own statementKSBY · Oct 14, 2026Link
04Fees and taxes1 sourced position
Voted yes on Resolution 26-1318 applying the annual inflation adjustment to city user and regulatory fees (passed 5-0, May 2026).
Council voteSolvang City Council minutes, May 26, 2026 · May 26, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05City budget1 sourced position
Voted yes on Resolution 26-1323 adopting the biennial budget for fiscal years 2026/27 and 2027/28 (passed 5-0, June 2026).
Council voteSolvang City Council minutes, June 22, 2026 · Jun 22, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06Local business2 sourced positions
Says the city's permitting process, costs and regulatory burdens are too high for businesses.
The permitting process, costs, and regulatory burdens are exorbitant, which delays entrepreneurial activity.”
Own statementDavid Brown for Solvang Mayor 2026 (campaign site)Link
as quoted by KSBY
Said he supports lowering barriers to entry for businesses.
I'm very much a free-market type of person,”
Own statementKSBY · Oct 14, 2026Link
07Traffic and parking3 sourced positions
Voted yes on a contract of up to $150,000 with Guardians Protective Services for security and crossing guard services through June 2028 (passed 5-0, June 2026).
Council voteSolvang City Council minutes, June 22, 2026 · Jun 22, 2026LinkHow the council voted
as reported by KSBY; not a direct quote
Said he started the effort two years ago to put crossing guards at several crosswalks.
Own statementKSBY · Oct 14, 2026Link
Voted yes to adopt the 2026/2028 City Council goals, amended to include parking and traffic (passed 5-0, May 11, 2026).
Council voteSolvang City Council minutes, May 11, 2026 · May 11, 2026LinkHow the council voted
08Council goals1 sourced position
Voted yes on the consent item approving the adopted City Council goals (passed 3-2, May 26, 2026).
Council voteSolvang City Council minutes, May 26, 2026 · May 26, 2026LinkHow the council voted
09Transit1 sourced position
Voted no on waiving formal bidding to buy two vehicles for the Santa Ynez Valley Transit fleet (passed 3-1, July 2026).
Council voteSolvang City Council minutes, July 13, 2026 · Jul 13, 2026LinkHow the council voted
10Past candidacies1 sourced position
Ran for Mayor of Solvang in 2024 (won).
Own statementSanta Barbara County ElectionsLink
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
David Brown: their words and their votes on the same issue
Traffic and parking
In their words
Said he started the effort two years ago to put crossing guards at several crosswalks.
Oct 14, 2026 ·as reported by KSBY; not a direct quote ·KSBY · Oct 14, 2026
On the record
Voted yes to adopt the 2026/2028 City Council goals, amended to include parking and traffic (passed 5-0, May 11, 2026).
May 11, 2026 ·Solvang City Council minutes, May 11, 2026 · May 11, 2026
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