Salud Carbajal, the Democratic incumbent, faces three challengers in his bid for a sixth term representing Santa Barbara County in the U.S. House of Representatives. The primary election is scheduled for June 2, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election on November 3. The four candidates are Carbajal, Bob Smith, Sarah Bacon, and Helena Pasquarella.
Carbajal, a former Santa Barbara County supervisor and U.S. Marine Corps Reserve veteran, has served in Congress since 2016. He currently sits on the House Committee on Armed Services, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Committee on Agriculture. His stated priorities include affordability, environmental protection, and immigration reform. He pointed to his work on the Inflation Reduction Act, bipartisan Central Coast infrastructure legislation, and the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act as major accomplishments. If re-elected, Carbajal said he would continue addressing child care costs, grocery and housing affordability, and healthcare expenses.
Smith, the lone Republican in the race, is a defense systems engineer from Carpinteria who spent 28 years in the U.S. Navy. He worked with the Department of Defense to develop technology including radar systems, ships, and missiles. Smith said his campaign philosophy centers on mission accomplishment and bipartisanship. His wife, Adriana Gonzalez-Smith, is a Democrat. Smith's entry into politics was prompted by his wife's unsuccessful 2024 run for Carpinteria City Council. As a congressman, Smith said he would focus on housing deregulation and energy cost reduction, and would pursue federal research funding for UC Santa Barbara to support STEM education and workforce development.
Bacon, a graduate student at UC Santa Barbara studying English and economics, serves as vice president of external affairs for the UCSB Graduate Student Association. She spent 20 years in the tech industry before returning to school, eventually becoming vice president of a software company. She said she became disillusioned with the tech sector and decided to pursue public service. Bacon's campaign emphasizes progressive policies, anti-corruption measures, and reforms to healthcare, transportation, and housing. She cited frustration with the pace of Democratic progress in Congress as motivation for her candidacy.
Pasquarella, an Ojai resident and former photojournalist, is running under the Peace and Freedom Party. She previously ran against Carbajal in 2024, receiving approximately 9% of the primary vote. Pasquarella's campaign priorities include ending U.S. military involvement in Iran, addressing homelessness, abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and closing detention centers. She said she was spurred to run again following President Donald Trump's reelection and subsequent increases in immigration arrests nationwide.
