Verifying well-established rumors, Gregg Hart filed candidate intention papers on January 26 to run for 2nd District County Supervisor. While he has not formally announced his campaign, the filings appear to rebuff any last-minute murmurs that the recently reelected Santa Barbara City Councilmember might not jump in the race to represent the 2nd District.
In the June 5 election, Hart would face off against Susan Epstein, a Goleta school boardmember who formally launched her campaign in early January. Epstein has not wasted any time asking high-ranking Santa Barbara Democrats for their support. Her list of endorsements includes outgoing 2nd District Supervisor Janet Wolf, former 2nd District supervisor Susan Rose, and State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, as well as a number of area school boardmembers. Epstein sent out a mass email on Tuesday, inviting recipients to her first $85-per-person fundraiser on February 11, held at the home of Jill and Ron Dexter.
The race, observers note, would pit against each other two Democrats who have long existed in separate spheres — Epstein largely in Goleta and Hart largely in the City of Santa Barbara. Now, they would be competing for the same donors.
