Perotte poised for reelection in Goleta mayoral race with 100% precincts reporting

Precincts Reporting:	100%
Roger Aceves	4,602 | 36%
Paula Perotte (I)	8,349 | 64%

With more than half of all precincts reporting, Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte is positioned to win another term. Perotte currently leads former mayor and current City Councilor Roger Aceves by more than 3,000 votes.

For a complete breakdown of local election results, click here.

The Goleta Mayoral race pits two people against each other with plenty of political experience.

This marks only the second time in history that Goleta residents have directly elected a mayor on their ballots. 

Prior to 2018, the Mayor was selected by the Goleta City Council for a one-year term. 

Incumbent mayor Paula Perotte is seeking reelection in her office.

Perotte is the city's first elected mayor following three appointed terms.

This year, she hopes to help the city overcome economic and social challenges brought about by COVID-19.

“My first priority going back into 2021 is the pandemic,” Perotte said. Making sure that we are all safe, that public safety is a priority.”

Goleta City Councilman Roger Aceves explained why he is challenging the incumbent mayor.

“I’m really excited about what the city of Goleta has to look forward to,” Aceves said. “I’m also running because of our infrastructure, I mean you look at our roadways, we have not given that the priory that it needs.”

Aceves is no stranger to local politics and is vying for a third stint as mayor of The Goodland.

In 2009, the former mayor was chosen from the council; Aceves' first term was during the last recession.

With no mayoral forums or fundraising events taking place this year, both candidates discussed the difficulties they’ve faced campaigning in the middle of a pandemic.

“It’s been a challenge to have a campaign in the middle of a pandemic,” Perotte said. “We’re all thinking the same way, what are we going to do.”

“It’s been a whole new world,” Aceves said. “No more knocking on doors, so we had to count a lot on social media.”

The Goleta mayor's term is two years.

However, there's an item on this year’s ballot that lets residents vote on whether or not to extend the term to four years.

If Perotte wins, Aceves would remain on the Goleta City Council, because he has two years left in his term. 

If Aceves wins, Perotte would be off the Goleta City Council, and the remaining members would vote to appoint her replacement.

You can learn more about Perotte and Aceves by visiting our 2020 Voter Guide.