Run for Office

Request Endorsement
How it works
Contact Us

The Santa Barbara County Democratic Party endorses Democrats running for local offices in Santa Barbara County from school board trustee and city council through Board of Supervisors and special district boards. Seeking our endorsement requires completing a written questionnaire and an in-person interview before the full Central Committee. Endorsed candidates are listed on campaign literature and our website and promoted to 100,000+ registered Democrats and Independents countywide. Endorsed candidates may also access party volunteer infrastructure and organizational support.

Step one

Request Your Candidate Questionnaire

Select the questionnaire that matches the office you're seeking. Completing it is required before scheduling your endorsement interview. Links will take you to a Jotform where you can request access.

County
Board of Supervisors and other countywide offices
Request access
City Council
City council races in all cities within Santa Barbara County
Request access
School Board
Trustees for K–12 school districts and community college boards
Request access
Special District
Water, fire, sanitation, parks, community services, and other local special districts
Request access
Not sure which questionnaire applies to your race? Email us at endorsements@sbdems.org and we'll point you in the right direction.
How it works

How the Democratic Endorsement Process Works in Santa Barbara County

1
Request and complete your questionnaire
Select the questionnaire for your race type above and complete it in full. A completed questionnaire is mandatory for consideration of endorsement and your responses help committee members evaluate your candidacy ahead of the interview.
2
Schedule your endorsement interview
Contact our endorsements committee at endorsements@sbdems.org to arrange a date. Interviews are held at our regular monthly meetings, on the first Thursday of each month. Check out our updated meeting schedule here: sbdems.org/meetings
3
Appear before the Central Committee
You'll address the full committee in person or on Zoom, answer questions, and make the case for your candidacy. The interview typically runs 10–15 minutes.
4
Committee votes
Following all candidate interviews, the committee deliberates and votes. The vote threshold depends on where you are in the election cycle (see below).
5
Endorsement and resources
Endorsed candidates are listed on campaign literature and sbdems.org, promoted through party communications, and may access party volunteer infrastructure and organizational support.
60%
Supermajority required before the filing deadline to secure endorsement
Pre-filing
50%+1
Simple majority required after the filing deadline, once the field is set
Post-filing
Get in touch

Contact the Endorsements Committee

Endorsements committee

endorsements@sbdems.org

Primary contact for all candidate inquiries, questionnaire questions, and interview scheduling.

Monthly meetings

First Thursday of each month

View meeting schedule and location →

FAQs

  • Complete a written candidate questionnaire for your race type (county, city council, school board, or special district) using the links above, then contact endorsements@sbdems.org to schedule an interview at a monthly Central Committee meeting. The committee deliberates and votes after all interviews are complete.

  • The party endorses candidates for Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors; city council seats in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Goleta, Carpinteria, Buellton, Solvang, and Guadalupe; K–12 school district trustee seats and community college boards; and special district boards including water, fire protection, sanitation, and parks and recreation districts throughout the county.

  • Yes, in races with multiple seats. The Party cannot endorse more candidates than the number of seats available for any office up for election.

  • Yes. Candidates must be registered Democrats to be considered for endorsement. If you're currently registered No Party Preference (NPP) or with another party and plan to change your registration, contact us at endorsements@sbdems.org before applying. If you’re unsure of your registration status, please go to Check my party preference.

  • As early as possible. Applying before the candidate filing deadline means the bar is higher (60% vs. simple majority), but you gain more lead time to leverage the endorsement. We recommend reaching out as soon as you know that you want to run for office.

  • Before the candidate filing deadline, endorsement requires a 60% supermajority of the Central Committee vote. After the filing deadline, a simple majority (50%+1) is sufficient.

  • Central Committee meetings are open to any registered Democrat. Candidates may bring supporters, though the committee deliberation is between committee members only. Check our meetings page for the agenda and location at sbdems.org/meetings.

  • Endorsed candidates are listed on campaign literature, sbdems.org, and promoted across party communications reaching over 100,000 registered Democrats and Independents in Santa Barbara County. Candidates may also access party volunteer infrastructure, be featured in voter outreach, and receive organizational credibility that can unlock support from aligned local organizations and donors.

Be the change.

Are you interested in running for local office in Santa Barbara County, but don’t know where to start? Fill out some info below to receive our guide on running for local office and to connect with us about your goals!