Explore Candidate Support
Campaign development, consultation opportunities, training and support for feminist candidates.
Candidate Corner
Resources for candidates seeking public office, preparing for the SBWPC endorsement process and building effective campaigns.
Find the right candidate resource
Official Election Information
Election administration, candidate filing, campaign compliance and November election resources.
Request Consideration
Begin the official SBWPC endorsement request process.
From request to Board decision
Request
SBWPC reviews candidacy status and whether the race is being considered.
Questionnaire
Eligible candidates receive the same race-specific questionnaire and deadline.
Interview
Candidates continuing in the process are interviewed using the approved format.
CAT Review
The Candidate Assessment Team documents findings and makes its recommendation.
Board Decision
The SBWPC Board votes and candidates are notified before public release.
Feminist leadership and campaign readiness
Feminist Values
Alignment with equality, civil rights, human rights, equal opportunity and SBWPC policy positions.
Public Record & Responses
Written answers, interview responses, public actions, policy positions and relevant experience.
Campaign Viability
Campaign planning, organization, budget, issue knowledge and readiness to compete effectively.
Mentorship & Leadership
Commitment to developing women and strengthening pathways to elected and appointed office.
Build the campaign
A Fund for a Feminist Future
Candidate development, campaign-skills support, consultation opportunities, scholarships and feminist political leadership.
Candidate Training Resources
Established organizations offering campaign training, leadership development and candidate preparation.
Trusted resources in three places
Organization Resources
Endorsement protocol, policy positions, election information, candidate support and the request form.
Election & Compliance
California, Santa Barbara County, City of Santa Barbara and FPPC candidate information.
Campaign Preparation
Candidate recruitment, training, leadership development and campaign-skills organizations.
Help evaluate candidates
SBWPC members may express interest in serving on a Candidate Assessment Team and participating in the endorsement review process. SBWPC members interested in participating in candidate assessment may contact Elections & Appointments.
2026 General Election results
Unofficial November 3, 2026 results for SBWPC-endorsed candidates from the June 2 primary.
City of Santa Barbara
2 endorsed · 2 no endorsement
SBWPC EndorsedIan J. Baucke
Endorsed Sep 9, 2026
Leading with 62.7% in the Nov 10 county update. Unofficial until results are certified in December.
SBWPC EndorsedGabe Escobedo
Endorsed Sep 23, 2026
Leading with 69.7% in the Nov 10 county update. Unofficial until results are certified in December.
- MayorNo endorsement
- City Council District 4No endorsement
City of Goleta
2 endorsed
SBWPC EndorsedLuz Reyes-Martin
Endorsed Sep 9, 2026
Luz Reyes-Martin is a Goleta City Councilmember representing District 1 and a former two-term Goleta Union School District trustee. Her work focuses on public services, parks, infrastructure, environmental stewardship and collaboration. Leading with 67.9% in the Nov 10 county update. Unofficial until results are certified in December.
SBWPC EndorsedJames Kyriaco
Endorsed Sep 9, 2026
Leading with 58.9% in the Nov 10 county update. Unofficial until results are certified in December.
City of Carpinteria
1 endorsed
SBWPC EndorsedMonica Solorzano
Endorsed Sep 9, 2026
Leading with 72.9% in early returns reported Nov 4. Unofficial until results are certified in December.
Santa Barbara Unified School District
2 endorsed
SBWPC EndorsedJacqueline “Inda” Karlsen
Endorsed Sep 23, 2026
A Santa Barbara native and former foster youth, Jacqueline helped create the city’s district-based voting system. A local business owner and former foster parent, she has worked on public policy and advocates stronger partnerships among schools, communities and local cities. Leading with 65.4% in the Nov 10 county update. Unofficial until results are certified in December.
SBWPC EndorsedValerie Amparan
Endorsed Sep 23, 2026
Leading with 44.5% in a close three-way race in the Nov 10 county update. Unofficial until results are certified in December.
Santa Barbara City College
1 endorsed · 1 no endorsement
SBWPC EndorsedDominique Lujan
Endorsed Sep 9, 2026
Leading with 75.2% in early returns reported Nov 4. Unofficial until results are certified in December.
- Trustee Area 7No endorsement
State of California
8 endorsed
SBWPC EndorsedXavier Becerra
Endorsed Sep 9, 2026
Won. The AP called the race, with Becerra at 65.6% as of Nov 12. Unofficial until results are certified in December.
SBWPC EndorsedEleni Kounalakis
Endorsed Sep 9, 2026
Won. The AP called the race for Kounalakis on election night. Unofficial until results are certified in December.
SBWPC EndorsedJane Kim
Endorsed Sep 9, 2026
Won. Kim declared victory after Ben Allen conceded on Nov 6. Unofficial until results are certified in December.
SBWPC EndorsedFiona Ma
Won. The AP called the race, with Ma at 65.5% as of Nov 12. Unofficial until results are certified in December.
SBWPC EndorsedRob Bonta
Won. The AP called the race, with Bonta at 65.5% as of Nov 12. Unofficial until results are certified in December.
SBWPC EndorsedShirley Weber
Won. The AP called the race, with Weber at 66.5% as of Nov 12. Unofficial until results are certified in December.
SBWPC EndorsedMalia Cohen
Won. The AP called the race for Cohen on election night. Unofficial until results are certified in December.
SBWPC EndorsedGregg Hart
Leading with 66.9% districtwide as of Nov 12. Unofficial until results are certified in December.
Federal
1 endorsed
SBWPC EndorsedSalud Carbajal
Won. The AP called the race, with Carbajal at 66.5% as of Nov 12. Unofficial until results are certified in December.
Organization resources
- Official Election InformationVerified election administration and candidate-compliance resources.
- 2026 SBWPC EndorsementsEndorsed candidates and unofficial results from the November 3 General Election.
- A Fund for a Feminist FutureCandidate development and support.
- SBWPC Position PapersComplete adopted position papers.
- Full Endorsement ProtocolGoverning endorsement rules and safeguards.
- Request Endorsement ConsiderationOpen the official candidate request form.
Official Election Information
- California Secretary of State ElectionsState election rules, candidate information and election administration.sos.ca.gov (opens in a new tab)
- Santa Barbara County — November 3 Key DatesOfficial General Election calendar.countyofsb.org (opens in a new tab)
- Santa Barbara County Candidate Filing PortalCurrent County candidate filing portal.countyofsb.org (opens in a new tab)
- City of Santa Barbara ElectionsMunicipal election information and candidate resources.santabarbaraca.gov (opens in a new tab)
- FPPC Candidate ToolkitCampaign finance, reporting, communications and ethics guidance.fppc.ca.gov (opens in a new tab)
Campaign preparation
- Center for American Women and PoliticsResearch, leadership programs and candidate resources.cawp.rutgers.edu (opens in a new tab)
- Close the Gap CaliforniaRecruitment and preparation for women considering the California Legislature.closethegapca.org (opens in a new tab)
- Emerge CaliforniaCandidate training for Democratic women.ca.emergeamerica.org (opens in a new tab)
- National Women’s Political CaucusRecruitment, training and support for women seeking public office.nwpc.org (opens in a new tab)
- Ready to RunNonpartisan campaign training from CAWP.cawp.rutgers.edu (opens in a new tab)
- Run for SomethingCandidate resources for local and state campaigns.runforsomething.net (opens in a new tab)
- Vote Run LeadCampaign training and leadership tools.voterunlead.org (opens in a new tab)
Candidate actions
Endorsement questions: contact SBWPC regarding candidate consideration, endorsement procedures or Elections & Appointments.