The League of Women Voters is holding a candidate forum this evening at Allan Hancock College’s Boyd Concert Hall in Santa Maria. The event will give voters a chance to hear from the two contenders for the open City Council District 4 seat, which will be on the ballot in the November 2026 midterm election.
Why the seat is open
Current District 4 Councilmember Maribel Aguilera is vacating the position to run for Santa Barbara County Supervisor in District 5. Her departure creates a four‑year term that will be filled by the winner of this race.
Candidate profiles
Vincent Martinez is a local attorney, business owner, and Santa Barbara County planning commissioner. He helped launch the Santa Maria Police Council and has built a visible public campaign. Martinez says his platform centers on three priorities: improving public safety, addressing homelessness, and closing the city’s budget shortfall.
Tyler Barksdale is a retired military veteran who has kept a low public profile. He has declined all media interview requests ahead of the forum, leaving voters to rely on brief statements filed in his official candidate paperwork. Because he has not spoken to reporters, his attendance at tonight’s forum is still unverified.
What to expect at the forum
The evening’s schedule begins with a meet‑and‑greet at 5:00 p.m., followed by a County Supervisor forum at 5:30 p.m. The City Council candidate presentations start at 7:00 p.m. If Barksdale does not appear, Martinez will have the stage to himself; if Barksdale does attend, it will be his first major public appearance of the election season.
How voters can participate
The League of Women Voters encourages all eligible residents of Santa Maria to attend, ask questions, and make informed choices before heading to the polls in November. The forum is open to the public and free of charge.
Background on the district
District 4 covers Santa Maria’s southeast neighborhoods, an area that has faced challenges with homelessness and public‑safety concerns. Both candidates have pledged to work closely with the police department and community groups to address these issues while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Voters can find additional information about the candidates, including campaign finance reports and official statements, on the Santa Maria City Clerk’s website.
Looking ahead
The District 4 race will be one of several council contests that could shape the city’s direction over the next four years. With the forum tonight, residents have a timely opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and gauge which vision aligns best with their values and the community’s needs.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
