Race for Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor undecided and too close to call

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - UPDATE: The March 5th Primary election in Santa Barbara County is still undecided in the race for First District County Supervisor. Ballots tabulated on election night leave the gap between challenger Roy Lee and incumbent Das Williams at less than 500 votes. Lee is in the lead 7176 to 6689, a difference of four percent.

His party was held at his family restaurant Uncle Chen's in Carpinteria. Among those attending were former District Attorney Joyce Dudley, former Undersheriff Barney Melekian and former Supervisor Mike Stoker.

Williams rallied with Democratic party candidates at Pepe's in Goleta and spoke on the same platform as Assemblymember Gregg Hart and Supervisor Joan Hartmann. He did not hold an election night rally in his district.

(Prior Version)

One of the races closely watched in Santa Barbara County during this primary election is in the First District contest between incumbent Das Williams and challenger Roy Lee.

Williams is a veteran politician with experience in the state assembly and Santa Barbara city council. He is a liberal, an environmentalist, and he is outspoken about climate change and the future quality of life.

Lee is a restaurant owner who has been serving on the Carpinteria City Council. He does not see himself as a career politician. He is at odds with Williams over the cannabis industry impacts and regulations. He was also upset at the protective ring nets coming down in the storm-threatened Montecito hills.

He said he listens more than he talks and is independent on how he views key issues such as housing, transportation and homeless solutions.

The district covers an area from Carpinteria to Santa Barbara and includes Montecito and Summerland.

There are only two candidates in the race and it will be "winner take all."