Eric Friedman

About this race

The city's top elected official. Depending on the city charter, either runs city government ("strong mayor") or leads the city commission alongside a hired city manager.

4 candidates ran for City of Santa Barbara Mayor (Santa Barbara County) in the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Santa Barbara voters.

About Eric Friedman

Santa Barbara City Councilmember, District 5. Has represented District 5 on the Santa Barbara City Council since 2017 and was reelected in 2021; he also works part time at Trader Joe's. Incumbent Mayor Randy Rowse is not seeking reelection, leaving the mayor's seat open.

What they say they'll focus on:

• Affordability, including housing costs and helping residents become homeowners
• Fiscal responsibility, with caution on large projects while reserves are depleted
• Emergency preparedness and response
• Environmental sustainability
• A half-open, half-closed model for State Street

Summarized in our words from source 1, source 2, source 3, source 4, checked October 2026. Not an endorsement.

Where they stand

This is a nonpartisan race, so we don't estimate where candidates fall from their campaign materials or look up their personal voter registration. We'd place Eric Friedman only with a published academic score (from a voting record or campaign donors), and we haven't found one we can reliably source.

To see where they stand, read their own words: campaign site. What they say they'll focus on is listed above.

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More about Eric Friedman

Campaign website · Facebook · Instagram · Ballotpedia

Social accounts are the ones linked from the candidate's own campaign site, or listed on Wikidata.

Are you Eric Friedman?

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Also running

• Matt Kilrain
• Wendy Sims-Moten
• Kristen W. Sneddon

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Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Quick answers

What does the City of Santa Barbara Mayor seat do?

The city's top elected official. Depending on the city charter, either runs city government ("strong mayor") or leads the city commission alongside a hired city manager.

Who is Eric Friedman running against?

Matt Kilrain, Wendy Sims-Moten and Kristen W. Sneddon, for City of Santa Barbara Mayor (Santa Barbara County).

Should I vote for Eric Friedman?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Compare Eric Friedman's record, funding and endorsements with the other candidates in this race and decide based on what matters to you.