Last April, prominent Democratic Assemblymember Das Williams announced he would run for county supervisor just days after Salud Carbajal, current 1st District supervisor, declared his candidacy for Congress. It was not until six months later that Jennifer Christensen, the county’s investment officer, emerged as his sole contender.
At face value, the race between Williams and Christensen could not be more of a mismatch. Williams is a high-profile Democratic politician who grew up in Ojai, Isla Vista, and Santa Barbara before entering the public eye at age 29, when he ran for Santa Barbara City Council. He’s been raising money since announcing — with considerable support from several unions and tribal governments — and outpaces Christensen with $341,200 on hand.
But Christensen, a largely unknown independent voter, has raised enough money to penetrate the airwaves in recent weeks; she’s spent $164,000 this year and still has another $112,500 left. Her TV ads champion a message of fiscal restraint and accountability as she has worked for the County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller’s office for the past 15 years.