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The standings haven’t changed since the last post talking about it, so tl:dr Alice Patino and Carlos Escobedo keeps their seats, and Gloria Flores flips District 2, currently held by Mike Cordero. Scroll down for fun facts about the election.

City of Santa Maria Mayor:
Alice Patino - 11,007
Diana Perez - 10,951
William Smith - 1,749
Andrew Foster - 1,349

Councilmember for Santa Maria District 1:
Carlos Escobedo - 2,695
Maria Salguero - 1,658
Adilene Rojas-Alejo - 283

Councilmember for Santa Maria District 2:
Gloria Flores - 1,969
Benjamin Ortiz - 1,923
Mike Cordero - 1,715

There was only one candidate for City Clerk and City Treasurer.

Fun(?) Facts About This Election!

1. This has been Alice Patino’s tightest election ever, with a 50 vote margin, with the second largest margin being her first election in 2012 against current outgoing councilmember Cordero.
2. This is the first time Cordero has not sat on the council since 2016. He was the longest serving councilmember, being elected in 2016. That honor now goes to Gloria Soto, being elected in 2018.
3. Speaking of Glorias, now we have two on the council, Flores and Soto. Can we get to three in 2026?
4. This is the closest margin of ANY mayoral election since at least 2000 (the online county archives don’t go farther).

For long-time Santa Marians, are you happy about Mayor Patino extending her leadership to 16 years? I wouldn’t know, I haven’t lived here that long. And for all Santa Marians, are you happy with this council? What do you think about Santa Maria now? Now that we had a seat change, do you think the city will go in a new direction, or keep with the status quo? I know I sound like an interrogator, but I am genuinely interested in knowing how the community feels now that elections are over. Congratulations to Gloria Flores, Carlos Escobedo, and Alice Patino for their wins.

I've been searching for a dentist for a family member that takes more precautions (like wearing masks and using HEPA filters). I found some in the LA and Bay area but none locally. Even if you know of one who's easy going and willing to make adjustments like opening a window, etc, that's better than nothing. Thank you.

Need the best breakfast burrito spot in town.

Are there any stores that sell toys/gifts that also wraps them for you?

We have Xfinity for business and we have like 1.3Gbps and it sucks, we started at 400-500 mbps it was working fine, then i got a call with to upgrade to 800 mbps for a cheaper price, so i did like a normal person would, and after we did that our internet started getting worse, it shows that we get high speed but websites would constantly lag on opening. so we thought it was our "old" computer. So we upgraded to like a $4000 Gaming computer RTX4080 13th gen I9 32 gb ram. and nope still same problem. so i called and they told me ok you need to upgrade to the highest internet speed along with a new modem and i even bought a CAT 8 ethernet cable which is used for higher speed over 1 gig. and we are still haveing the same issues. a tech came in recently and said they are working a on a node but they are not sure when it will get fixed. this is BS

Gf goes to cal poly slo and I go to Ucsb having our 3 year on Thursday meeting In the middle for dinner. No price limit it’s an important occasion (even tho I’m broke). Anything that a girl would like for a 3 year. Ty sm

I can't remember the last time I had a great deli sandwich in this town. Is there someplace I've missed? California Fresh used to have some great ones, and thanks to the fact that my bosses at my last job founded the place we got their sandwiches at lunch meetings quite a bit. Possibly my favorite in town was Parkway Café, if you had plenty of time and the weather was nice since the seating was all outside.

I'm aware of Papa Napoli but most of their stuff is not really my style. Cubanissimo is great for Cubanos but I don't make it down there often. I miss being able to get at least a fast food version of a decent sandwich at Arby's.

Who's got like a good turkey club croissant or something? That's not $18?

New(ish) to the area. I keep seeing posts in Facebook groups of people advertising that they do car window tints. When I moved, I noticed a significant amount of cars on the road and in parking lots around this area that have their rear, sides, and sometimes even windshield done. I know it’s illegal in California to do so much and so dark, but why do so many people do it anyways? Is the cost for tint and a fix it ticket worth the benefits? Does the sheer volume make it so the police just look the other way and don’t waste their time on tint enforcement? I can’t seem to get any explanations. Just seems like a really heavy “tint culture” here and I wanna learn more about the why.

The 2024 general election results for SB County has received its fourth update, which added 2,404 ballot tallies. The next update will be Tuesday, December 2 @2pm.

The race for SM Mayor and District 2 are still worth looking at.

Mayor
Alice Patino - 10,995
Diana Perez - 10,942
*Will Smith - 1,747
Andy Foster - 1,348

District 2
Gloria Flores - 1,965
Ben Ortiz - 1,922
Mike Cordero - 1,715

The mayors race is more likely to flip than District 2 due to more outstanding votes for mayor than District 2. There are 1,534 challenged ballots still yet to be tallied. A challenged ballot is a ballot that needs additional review prior to being accepted for counting. Various reasons could include a review of the voter's signature on the their ballot (doesn't match compared to on-record sig), no signature (contact voter), etc. Not all outstanding votes will be votes for SM City Council, so don't expect 1,534 added votes to the results.

For District 2, imo it's safe to say Mike Cordero lost his seat. His numbers on the second update were 1,684. Since then, 7,222 votes were added. A difference of 31 votes from then to now.

*Just an afterthought here, this is William "Will" Smith's third mayoral candidacy for Santa Maria. He has received fewer votes in each subsequent candidacy. If Patino wins, I wonder how the votes play out if Will wasn't a candidate 🤔

SM Mayoral Elections

2016
Alice Patino - 16,475
Will Smith - 6,191

2020
Alice Patino - 18,129
Alberto U - 5,032
Will Smith - 4,879

I am looking for the best Chrismas tree any one can help me too get one ...let know were

I’m visiting my parents for the holidays and I’m on a mission to find some awesome bagels for Saturday morning. I’m looking for that classic New York-style bagel experience—something chewy, with a nice crust on the outside and fluffy on the inside. You know, the kind that you can just eat plain or load up with cream cheese, lox, or whatever your heart desires.

Are there any local spots in Santa Maria that really nail it? I want just some good, solid bagels that can make a breakfast feel special. If you have any recommendations, I’d love to hear them! Thanks!

Hello I am one make new friends new in the area Tex me private Tex message I am Liz 32 I speak Spanish I am very nice person and friendly be serious guys

This holiday season, we are supporting over 385 veterans here on the Central Coast who are in need. We invite you to stop by one of our participating locations to pick up a tag and make a difference in their lives.

The process is simple:

1. Choose a tag with a veteran’s wish.
2. Purchase the items listed on the tag.
3. Return the unwrapped items to the location where you picked up the tag.

This year, we’ve seen a 33% increase in requests for help, and we need your support more than ever. Your generosity will bring joy and comfort to the veterans who have given so much for our country. Together, we can ensure that every veteran feels the warmth and care they deserve this holiday season.

Thank you for making this holiday season brighter for our heroes. 🇺🇸🎄

Participating Locations: • Veterans of Foreign Wars, Atascadero • Coastal Peaks Coffee, San Luis Obispo • Veterans Services of San Luis Obispo County, San Luis Obispo • Rontal Salon & Beauty Center, Arroyo Grande • Peacock Cellars, Arroyo Grande • à la carte, Santa Maria • Oak Knolls Hardware, Orcutt • American Legion, Orcutt

This is a WELCOME HOME MILITARY HEROES program. WHMH is a Family and Veteran run nonprofit organization that was founded out of Arroyo Grande!

Any lesbians on here? I need more people to relate with.

Where can I find the best tasting pumpkin pie in Santa Maria or Nipomo/Orcutt?

Was just curious what’s everyone’s favorite around here, there’s so many and I’ve lived out here for 3 years now.

Hi ! I'm (27f) moving to santa maria with my boyfriend within the next couple months ! I'm a tattoo artist with a passion for knitting, plants, anime, clubbing, good food, and shopping ! I'm starting over fresh in Santa maria I've visited once, im currently 4 hours south in a similar type city. I wanted to know if I could get any advice? Where to go for food, what's a good clubbing spot, where's a fun place to shop, i understand if any advice is outside the city. I currently have to drive 20+ minutes away for anything good already lmao. Any and all advice is appreciated 🫶 Pls no negativity, I've heard enough on the santa maria fb page. I get it lol. I'm trying to see the good and start off with a good mindset 🫶🥺 ty in advance 💖

Just moved into the area and after a handful of Amazon and Wayfair deliveries I have way more cardboard than will fit in my personal recycling bin. Are there any cardboard or recycling dedicated dumpsters around town for public use?

Thanks

What’s up with all the fireworks going off throughout the day? I’ve heard it yesterday and today

Just moved back here after being in Phoenix for 8 years. Can’t believe splash and dash is $20 for a car wash.. any spots around here closer to $10 for a car wash?

We need new tires for my plug in hybrid. Where's the best place around here to get tires for a good value?

New dispensary in Orcutt❗️ Not sure when it opens yet

Like the titles says, i used to play alot of son jarocho. And i am currently looking to buy one, preferably a traditional Veracruz Jarana.

Any leads would be appreciated alsi Any one out here jam out? Yall have any fandangos out here.

I was just wondering if anyone knew what those places are on the side of the 154 that look like their selling food /serving food under the canopies with the lights?

Looking for a boxing coach in SM for some 1 on 1 private lessons. I'm experienced in Muay Thai but would like to work on some Boxing fundamentals. Thanks.

Hey everyone I'm thinking about leaving the website. Probably won't be back here. Before I leave it, it would suck if I abandoned this community without new people to take care of it if anyone else is interested in taking over for mod stuff let me know.

It's not much work honestly it's just removing stuff when it doesn't belong here in a subreddit about Santa Maria. You don't have to follow the rules I set.

The rules I enforced were made by the person that took care of it before I got the mod role.

You all can decide what you want this subreddit to be. But since it's about Santa Maria I assume you guys want it to be mostly about this town.

Applications are open just comment down below. I'll be promoting the only other mod here to the new owner just want more people in mod role so they won't be alone. Hope you all keep enjoying this subreddit after I leave the site.