City Council Candidates – Santa Paula

TOP * District 2: Crosswhite * Yarbrough * District 3: Chavez * District 4: Grass * Garcia * Marquez * Garza

Watch debate here: League of Women Voter Forum for Santa Paula City Council Districts 2 & 4.

Santa Paula City Council, District 2 – Vote for (1)

TOP * District 2: Crosswhite * Yarbrough * District 3: Chavez * District 4: Grass * Garcia * Marquez * Garza

Jenny Crosswhite (D) – Councilmember, Incumbent

Central Coast Labor Council

TOP * District 2: Crosswhite * Yarbrough * District 3: Chavez * District 4: Grass * Garcia * Marquez * Garza

Jenny Yarbrough (R) – Business Owner/Mother

  • Party: Republican
  • Education: 
    • BA in Studio Art with an emphasis in graphic design from Westmont College
  • Employment & experience: 
    • Small business owner in Ventura (All-Vac Vacuum in Ventura)
    • Former Board member of Santa Barbara County Veterans Foundation
    • Volunteer work at Tender Life Maternity Home, Pierre Claeyssens Foundation, Santa Barbara Veterans Memorial Building, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Jodi House Brain Injury & Support Center, and Santa Barbara Calvary Chapel
  • Priorities:
    • Tackle Cost of Living & Utilities: Protect working and young families by pairing smart growth with relief from high utility rates (water and sewage) and rising housing costs.
    • Proactive Public Safety: Reduce property crime and break-ins through adequate emergency service staffing, stronger neighborhood watch programs, improved street lighting, and resilient infrastructure.
    • Support Local Businesses & Downtown: Cut red tape and fees, invest in Main Street beautification, promote “shop local” initiatives, and partner with the Chamber of Commerce to aid entrepreneurs.
    • Protect Healthcare & Restore Santa Paula Hospital: Expedite plans to retrofit Santa Paula Hospital to meet state 2030 earthquake safety standards and ensure local emergency medical care access.
    • Fiscal Responsibility & Revenue Growth: Review city spending with financial experts to allocate tax dollars effectively and seek values-aligned income streams without adding dispensaries or overburdening residents.
    • Responsible, Values-Driven Growth: Expand housing and economic options while preserving Santa Paula’s small-town charm, agricultural lands, and historic heritage, explicitly opposing marijuana dispensaries.
    • Boost Responsible Tourism: Expand regional marketing and community events (like Cruise Night, festivals, and farm markets) to attract visitors and highlight local culture, local stays, and unique venues.
    • Combat Graffiti & Support Public Art: Speed up cleanup response times and channel local creative talent into designated mural walls, public art projects, and youth programs.
    • Promote Trade Careers & Local Businesses: Streamline setup for trade businesses, keep work in Santa Paula, and partner with schools to connect youth to high-paying trade careers.
    • Flock Cameras; They violate privacy – all 11 cameras in the city should be removed.
  • Links:
COMMUNITY MEMBERS
– Ronnie Shahbazian, Founding President, Santa Barbara County Veterans Foundation (SBCVF)
– Henry Schulte, Avocado Farmer & Founder of Santa Barbara Veterans Foundation (SBCVF)
– Michael Nelson, Former Admin. of the Santa Paula Oil Museum
– Steve Lynes, Army Veteran, Fallen Warriors Memorial Committee
– Theresa Dillon
– Jennifer Wa
– Donna McClure, Owner, Lily Fields on Main Street, Santa Paula
– Sophia McDonald
– Rebecca Redderson
– Berniece Bird
– J Donovan Mitchell, Youth Pastor
– Christy Barr
– Margaret Niehaus
– Barbara Eliasen
– Katie Flynn
– Joy Palmer
– Clif Simonson
– Eric Butler
– Becky Olson
– Brian Whittaker

Santa Paula City Council, District 3 – Vote for (1)

TOP * District 2: Crosswhite * Yarbrough * District 3: Chavez * District 4: Grass * Garcia * Marquez * Garza

Pedro A. Chavez (D) – Councilmember/Executive Director

Cause action fund
Central Coast Labor CouncilLiuna laborer internationalSEIU 721

Santa Paula City Council, District 4 – Vote for (1)

TOP * District 2: Crosswhite * Yarbrough * District 3: Chavez * District 4: Grass * Garcia * Marquez * Garza

Nancy L. Grass (D) – Business Owner/Educator

Cause action fund
Central Coast Labor CouncilSEIU 721Central Coast Labor Council

TOP * District 2: Crosswhite * Yarbrough * District 3: Chavez * District 4: Grass * Garcia * Marquez * Garza

Merisa M. Garcia (DTS) – Human Resources Director

  • Party: unknown
  • Education:
    • Studied political communication at UC Santa Barbara
  • Employment & experience: 
    • Human Resources Director, Synergy HomeCare of Santa Clarita (2026-present)
    • Human Resources Director, Moss Motors Ltd. (2023-2026)
    • Various positions at Point Broadcasting LLC (including Human Resources Director and Executive Vice President) (2015-2023)
  • Priorities:
    • Neighborhood Safety: Build strong, safe neighborhoods throughout the community.
    • Accessible Healthcare: Ensure access to quality healthcare services close to home.
    • Balanced Economic Growth: Pursue responsible growth that creates jobs, supports local businesses, and brings new economic opportunities while preserving Santa Paula’s distinct character.
    • Transparent & Accountable Governance: Maintain a city government that is transparent, accountable, and focused on serving the entire community rather than a select few.
  • Links:

John Marquez (R) – (Under Review)

  • Party: Republican
  • Education: 
  • Employment & experience: 
    • Executive Director of the American Red Cross Pacific Coast Chapter (2026-present)
    • Interim CEO of the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce (2025-2026)
    • Executive Director of the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce (2018-2025)
    • Various positions at Schwan’s Home Service, rising to Associate Area Manager/Trainer (1996-2018)
  • Priorities:
    • Fiscal Responsibility & Transparency: Ensure clear budget reporting, healthy reserves, and transparent spending decisions.
    • Infrastructure Improvements: Secure District 4’s fair share of Measure R and T funds for visible street repairs.
    • Fair Utility Rates: Demand Prop 218 compliance, transparent rate-setting, and relief for low-income and senior residents.
    • Steady Leadership: Guide the upcoming City Manager transition smoothly without political conflict.
    • Economic Development: Boost local retail and manufacturing to increase sales tax revenue, while opposing recreational cannabis retail.
    • Healthcare Protection: Advocate for a replacement facility for Santa Paula Hospital to meet state seismic standards.
    • Public Safety: Reevaluate the county fire contract and fully resource the police department.
    • Tourism & Downtown Growth: Leverage local heritage and the Tourism Improvement Plan to draw visitors and support local businesses.
  • Links:

TOP * District 2: Crosswhite * Yarbrough * District 3: Chavez * District 4: Grass * Garcia * Marquez * Garza

Angel Garza (DTS) – Analyst

  • Party: declines to state
  • Positions: 
    • Get rid of Flock cameras
    • Institute a ban on data centers asap
    • Stop private equity from buying mobile home parks and raising the rents

TOP * District 2: Crosswhite * Yarbrough * District 3: Chavez * District 4: Grass * Garcia * Marquez * Garza