David SilvaIncumbent
Candidate for Mayor, Buellton · Mayor
David Silva joined the Buellton City Council in 2022. He works at UC Santa Barbara as a giving programs director. Governor Gavin Newsom later named him to a state air board. He is the first openly LGBTQ+ person to lead Buellton city government. He lives in Buellton with his husband, Jason. He helped grow the city's housing supply and fund a new river trail. He restored a police motor officer on Highway 246. He opened a new library and brought back the farmers market. He also started a tree-planting program and passed a new outdoor lighting rule.
Positions in brief
He has worked on new housing, road safety, and help for seniors, such as Meals on Wheels. He has also pushed for tree planting and new lighting rules to protect dark skies.
He says he helped grow the city's housing supply and helped fund a new river trail. He restored a police motor officer on Highway 246 for safety. He helped pay for Meals on Wheels for local seniors and opened a new city library. He started a plan to plant 1,000 trees and passed a new outdoor lighting rule. He is also working with local groups on a wildfire safety plan for the valley. He says the city has kept a balanced budget and low taxes while paying for these programs.
On the issues
- Housing & Homelessness
Supports expanding the city's growth boundary and building new affordable housing.
Source → - Infrastructure & Transportation
Supports road safety improvements and completing the Santa Ynez River Trail.
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Supports tree planting, dark-sky lighting rules, and a valley-wide wildfire plan.
Source → - Taxes & Cost of Living
Says the city has kept a balanced budget and low sales tax while funding services.
Source → - Government, Elections & Democracy
Supports more town halls and public input in city decisions.
“The best decisions we can make as a community are ones that are with as much input as possible.”
Source →
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