Osborne reelection bid appears successful with 100% reporting

Lompoc mayor Jenelle Osborne appears to have won her bid for another term. With 100% of precincts reporting, Osborne has a 12-point lead over her challenger, current city council member Victor Vega.

The race between Osborne and Vega for mayor of Lompoc has been one many on the Central Coast have watched closely.

Their beliefs are different on what to do with additional tax revenue brought in from a sales tax increase and the proliferation of the marijuana industry.

While running for reelection, Osborne points to regional relationships she has built as mayor as a top reason to keep her in place for another two-year term. She is focusing on the community and hoping to improve infrastructure to foster racial and economic equity within the city.

Both candidates say voters tell them public safety is their top priority. Youth violence tied to gangs has made headlines in Lompoc.

The other candidate is Victor Vega, a real estate broker and business owner. He's also a city council member with two years left on his term running for mayor on a pro business platform.

Voters passed a one percent sales tax increase in March. Osborne wanted to invest more of the money into public safety and community projects, but Vega and two other council members voted to use the money to pay down debt related to pensions. The city has also welcomed the marijuana industry like no other city in the area. There are now 10 dispensaries with a projected sales tax benefit to the city of up to a million dollars.

Vega thinks the marijuana market could become over saturated. Osborne would like to invest in oversight and auditing of the industry on the local level.

Both candidates would like to improve the condition of city parks. Vega points to the Huyck Stadium renovation at Lompoc High School, which was funded by the school district and private donations.

Osborne says after years of tight budgets, the city needs to start investing in itself, including spending money to improve the condition of city parks.

If Osborne is reelected, Vega will keep his seat on city council for two more years.

Both candidates participated in our 2020 Voter Guide. To read their survey responses, click here.