Three Candidates Vie for Open Santa Barbara District 5 City Council Seat
Three candidates, Cevin Cathell, Ian Baucke, and James Zurlinden, are competing for the open Santa Barbara District 5 City Council seat. The district includes neighborhoods such as Upper De la Vina Street, Samarkand, Upper State Street, Hidden Valley, and San…
Santa Barbara Santa Maria San Luis Obispo, CA, October 4, 2026 —
Voters in Santa Barbara’s District 5 will choose from three candidates vying for the open City Council seat in the upcoming election. The candidates include Cevin Cathell, Ian Baucke, and James Zurlinden.
District 5 encompasses several key Santa Barbara neighborhoods, including Upper De la Vina Street, Samarkand, Upper State Street, Hidden Valley, and San Marcos. This district’s representation on the City Council will shift as the current incumbent is not seeking re-election to this specific seat, instead pursuing a mayoral position.
The race for this open seat is expected to focus on local issues pertinent to the diverse communities within District 5. As the election approaches, constituents will have the opportunity to learn more about each candidate’s platforms and visions for the district.
Key information regarding the candidates’ backgrounds, specific policy proposals, and campaign platforms was not detailed in the provided summary. Further details on their qualifications and plans for addressing district needs are anticipated as the election cycle progresses.
Story summarized from the original created by Daniel Green, Noozhawk Staff Writer on www.noozhawk.com, see more information here.
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