Join us for the 2024 Candidate Forum for the City of Santa Maria Mayor! Meet the candidates running for election and learn more about their positions and priorities for the City of Santa Maria. This event is free to attend and open to the public - all are welcome! Please RSVP.  Refreshments will be provided. Spanish translation services will be available.

Program Format:

• Networking - 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Moderated program where candidates will be asked the following questions (they have received prior to the forum):
  • Question 1: Please introduce yourself to the audience. Describe what education and experiences you have that will aid you in being an effective Mayor for the City of the Santa Maria, and talk about what motivated you to run for this position.
  • Question 2: What do you see as the best part of our City, and what areas do you believe need the most improvement?  How would you support and improve these areas?
• Intermission - audience members can submit written questions to be asked of the candidates. Questions may be general or addressed to a specific candidate. All candidates will be offered an opportunity to answer all questions.
• Question and answer period: candidates will address the questions submitted by the public, which will be sorted by qualified volunteers
• Closing statements: each candidate will present a closing statement.
• Time will be available after the program to talk more with the candidates

Notes for attendees:

• Audience may not bring signs or wear supporting material in the forum room, or speak out or applaud before the forum concludes.
• The League will be recording the candidate forum in its entirety. No other video recording is allowed.

The 2024 City of Santa Maria Candidate Forums are hosted by the League of Women Voters of North Santa Barbara County and the Santa Maria Valley Chamber. Thank you to the Fund for Santa Barbara, NAACP, and Santa Maria Times for their partnership in this event. Thank you to the Chamber Investor Program Sponsors, who make Chamber support of programming like the 2024 Candidate Forums possible.

Information on the 2024 City of Santa Maria Candidate Forum for  City Council Districts 1 &2, taking place September 24th, can be found here.