Cevin Cathell Joined Santa Barbara Council Race

The District Five candidate hopes to address the city budget and housing supply issues.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in City Hall

Cevin Cathell Joined Santa Barbara Council Race

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Cevin Cathell has entered the race for the District Five seat on the Santa Barbara City Council. She is one of three candidates competing for the position.

Why it matters

Cathell says she is running due to her concerns over the state of the city budget. She also advocates for policy shifts to address the local housing crisis.

Cathell is among 3 candidates seeking the District Five seat. The district currently faces major development proposals at La Cumbre Plaza, which include 1,100 apartments.

The players

Cevin Cathell

She is a candidate for the District Five Santa Barbara City Council seat who previously worked as a staffer in the Texas legislature.

The details

Cathell proposes changing local zoning laws to encourage development on underutilized land while utilizing housing vouchers to assist residents. She opposes current rent stabilization measures, arguing that such policies ultimately hinder the expansion of the housing supply.

Cevin Cathell moved to Santa Barbara 26 years ago.

Political Context

Opponents of Cathell's platform may point to the success of Santa Barbara rent stabilization measures in protecting tenants from rapid cost increases. These critics often argue that maintaining such protections is essential to prevent displacement in a high-cost housing market.

If elected, Cathell plans to join the City Council's Finance Committee, which directly influences the city budget and local spending priorities. Her stance on zoning could impact future development density and housing availability for District Five residents.

The takeaway

Voters in District Five must decide if a shift away from rent stabilization is the right path to solve the local housing shortage. The election highlights the tension between promoting new large-scale housing projects and maintaining current affordability protections.