Veteran SB County sheriff’s deputy announces candidacy for sheriff in 2022
ORCUTT, Calif - A veteran of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office says he's a candidate for sheriff in the June 2022 election.
Lt. Juan Camarena was surrounded by family members, friends and law enforcement colleagues when he announced his candidacy in Orcutt.
"My plan and goal is to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the community through change and transparency," Lt. Camarena said. "That is why I am running for sheriff of Santa Barbara County."
The bilingual Camarena says he has worked in multiple departments and had various roles within the Sheriff’s Office during his 23-year career.
"In the past years the sheriff's office has been reactive and not proactive," Camarena said in announcing his candidacy for Sheriff.
"We need a qualified leader who has moved through the ranks and the organization to create a more focused and forward-thinking office."
He says the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office needs new leadership that is proactive to rising crime rates, changing public attitudes about policing and embraces new technologies available to law enforcement.
"These challenging times are an indication that the community is demanding change in law enforcement. Not only is the community requesting the change, but the men and women of the sheriff's office are also seeking change in leadership," said Camarena.
Camarena is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and emigrated to the U.S. from Mexico with his family as a child. He grew up in Guadalupe and Santa Maria.
Camarena says he has the support and endorsement of the Santa Barbara County Deputy Sheriffs' Association.
He says he announced his candidacy for County Sheriff early to raise his name recognition and begin building a grassroots campaign.
Camarena is looking to unseat incumbent Sheriff Bill Brown who has formally announced his re-election bid.
Brown's campaign released the following statement to NewsChannel 3-12:
“When I first ran for Sheriff, I did so on a platform of progressive leadership and change. I have delivered on that platform ever since. I have never had the deputy sheriff union’s endorsement in any of the four previous elections that I have won. My opponent is a former member of the union. The union advocates for its membership, while my concerns are for the good of the entire Sheriff’s Office, and for safety of the people I have been elected to serve. Our county faces many current and future challenges, and it needs experience and stability in its top law enforcement leadership position now more than ever. I will run a rigorous re-election campaign.”
Bill Brown
Brown was re-elected sheriff in 2018. In 2022 he will be seeking his fifth term.
