2nd District

(Map courtesy of 2nd District Supervisor's Webpage)


[ Article excerpt from SBN-P article 11/17/05 By BARNEY McMANIGAL ]


... Four local politicos inched closer to entering the county's June 2006 race for 2nd District supervisor... Santa Barbara City Councilmen Das Williams and Dan Secord, former councilman David Landecker and former Goleta school board Trustee Janet Wolf say they want to succeed Ms. Rose on the five-person Board of Supervisors.

Although no one has officially declared, at least two -- Ms. Wolf and Mr. Williams -- have lined up potential campaign staff...

A candidate who captures more than 50 percent of the vote would win outright in the June 6 balloting. If no candidate prevails, the top two finishers would meet in November for a second match-up.

Ms. Wolf, 51, who arguably has the least political experience of the four, so far has lined up the most early support. Although Ms. Rose has declined to endorse anyone at this point, her South Coast colleague, 1st District Supervisor Salud Carbajal, wasted no time in offering his "unequivocal and full support" to Ms. Wolf.

The former school official, who talks warmly of her 20 years living in the community, said voters will forgive her lack of political savvy.

"I feel that I've made connections with the people of the 2nd District, and that's more important than all of that stuff," said Ms. Wolf, who has lined up James Kyriaco Jr. to manage her campaign.

Mr. Landecker, 54, a former city councilman, said he would decide on the race after seeing how well candidates like Ms. Wolf articulate the needs of the district, especially on issues such as land use and housing.

He said the community needs to work together to save open space and create affordable homes...

He also said his decision to run would rest on whether the public could forgive him for an incident that prompted him to resign from the council in 1991. Mr. Landecker was caught switching price tags on an item at the Home Improvement Center...

Mr. Williams, 31, the youngest potential candidate, said he would unite South Coast liberals who have increasingly split over the issue of growth.

"If the South Coast doesn't stand together against the strong anti-environmental policies of the current board majority, then we're in deep trouble," said Mr. Williams, who touted his strong stand on the council against development in the Los Positas valley and upper State Street.

The first-term councilman said he is "still thinking and praying" about the race. If he does run, he plans to hire political veteran Stephanie Langsdorf to pilot his campaign, he said.

Dr. Secord, 69, a member of the California Coastal Commission who is barred by state law from running for a third council term, could not be reached Wednesday. But he has met with district residents about the race.

The lone Republican to consider the contest so far, Dr. Secord could suffer from the district's 4-3 Democrat voter registration edge. But he also stands to benefit from reduced competition for moderate and conservative voters...


CONTENDERS: 4 already eyeing spot on board