Two Candidates Compete for Santa Barbara County Board of Education Area 7 Seat

October 25, 2026 - 12:47

Two women are running for the Santa Barbara County Board of Education Area 7 seat. They are incumbent Vedamarie Alvarez Flores and Sally Lopez, a business owner.

Alvarez Flores is seeking another term on the board, pointing to her experience in education governance and her work representing the area's students and families. She has emphasized the importance of stable leadership and continued attention to the needs of schools across the region.

Lopez enters the race with a background in business, casting herself as an outsider who can bring a fresh perspective to the board. She has argued that her experience managing budgets and making practical decisions would serve the county well as it oversees spending and sets priorities for local education programs.

The board handles a range of responsibilities, including oversight of county education services, approval of charters, and support for school districts within its jurisdiction. Area 7 covers a specific portion of the county, and voters there will decide which candidate better represents their views on how those duties should be carried out.

The contest sets a sitting board member against a challenger calling for change. Both candidates have said they want to strengthen local schools and ensure that resources reach students effectively. Voters will make their choice in the upcoming election.