Three Candidates Battle for Fifth District Seat

Three candidates are locked in a fierce battle for the Fifth District seat on the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, with Cory Bantilan, Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez, and Ricardo Valencia debating taxes, budgets, and public priorities at a packed Guadalupe forum. As the current supervisor steps aside, voters are weighing tough choices: raising taxes, cutting services, or investing in prevention. Aguilera-Hernandez pushes for voter-approved tax hikes and social services, Bantilan prioritizes public safety and road infrastructure, while Valencia advocates delaying costly projects to fund emergency services and audits. With the stakes high and community turnout strong, the race will go to a November runoff if no one wins a majority in June. 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/9f73a4d14b689811