Race Heats Up as Turnout Lags

Santa Barbara County’s election race is heating up as voters gear up for a pivotal showdown in the Fifth District, where Cory Bantilan, Ricardo Valencia, and Maribel Aguilera are battling for your vote—with a runoff looming if no one wins outright. Meanwhile, incumbent Laura Capps faces Elijah Mack in the Second District. Voter turnout remains sluggish at just 12%, sparking Democratic alarm and calls for party members to cast their ballots. On a personal note, Roy Reed has stepped down from the Planning Commission to be closer to his grandchildren, praising the department’s professionalism and his own push for transparency. In state news, a revised jail oversight bill has passed the Assembly, now requiring sheriffs to nominate jail administrators confirmed by elected officials—striking a balance between accountability and sheriff authority. The Board of Supervisors will soon name Reed’s replacement. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/6c7439013a567cc7