Goleta School Board member Susan Epstein just snagged a key endorsement in her bid to fill the shoes of outgoing 2nd District Supervisor Janet Wolf: Janet Wolf’s. Wolf, who is stepping down after three terms, announced Thursday she would be supporting Epstein, whom she’s known for 15 years. In addition to her years with the Goleta School District — the launching pad for Wolf’s supervisorial career as well — Epstein has been active in Democratic Party circles and played a significant role trying to resurrect the Santa Barbara Progressive Coalition from suspended animation after last year’s election of Donald Trump.
Epstein enjoys support for many high profile women working in the Democratic and progressive trenches: State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, former 2nd District supervisor Susan Rose, fomer 3rd District supervisor Gail Marshall, former Santa Barbara mayor Helene Schneider, new Santa Barbara City Councilmember Kristen Sneddon, and former Goleta City Council member Margaret Connell. She’s also been endorsed by Goleta councilmembers Michael Bennett and Stuart Kasdin and by Carpinteria Mayor Fred Shaw.
Epstein has been positioning herself to run for the post — which represents most of the Goleta Valley and parts of the City of Santa Barbara — for some time. While Wolf’s endorsement is hardly unexpected, Wolf has proven sufficiently unpredictable that her support could not be assumed. For Epstein, it’s a significant endorsement.