Santa Barbara Mayoral Candidates Join Youth Forum

Candidates discussed key city policies with local students at an NAACP-organized event.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Youth

Santa Barbara Mayoral Candidates Join Youth Forum

Live Poll

Do you trust your local mayoral candidates to effectively address concerns about racial equity and safety?

Santa Barbara mayoral candidates Wendy Sims-Moten, Eric Friedman, and Kristen Sneddon participated in a youth-led forum on Friday. Students from Dos Pueblos High School and Santa Barbara City College moderated the discussion on local policy.

Why it matters

The forum allowed candidates to address student concerns regarding racism, e-bike enforcement, and transportation. These discussions follow recent local tensions, including a race-related incident at San Marcos High School.

The city has previously established a police oversight committee following the murder of George Floyd and formally declared racism a public health crisis. Additionally, the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse currently operates a Teen Court Program.

The players

Wendy Sims-Moten

Wendy Sims-Moten is a candidate running for the office of mayor of Santa Barbara.

Eric Friedman

Eric Friedman is a candidate running for the office of mayor of Santa Barbara.

Kristen Sneddon

Kristen Sneddon is a candidate running for the office of mayor of Santa Barbara.

The details

Candidates addressed safety concerns regarding the rise of e-bikes, proposing a combination of engineering changes and safety courses for riders. The event also touched on systemic issues, referencing the city's ongoing efforts to address racism and public health.

The NAACP Santa Barbara forum took place on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Voters will cast their ballots for the next mayor on November 3, 2026.

Culture Shift

This forum reflects a growing societal trend of youth-led civic engagement where younger generations demand direct accountability from local political figures. The discussion follows the city's formal declaration of racism as a public health crisis, signaling a pivot toward more transparent and youth-involved governance.

Residents should prepare for the upcoming mayoral election on November 3 by reviewing the proposed safety and transportation policies discussed at the forum. Younger voters and their families may see direct impacts on city e-bike regulations and school-based racial equity initiatives depending on the election outcome.

The takeaway

Engaging in candidate forums provides voters with a clearer understanding of how local leaders plan to handle issues like e-bike safety and social equity. Residents can use the information presented to better align their votes with their priorities for the city's future.