Victoria Pointer enters 3rd District Supervisor race

 

With the application deadline only three weeks away, long-time Buellton City Council member Victoria Pointer announced her candidacy for the 3rd District Supervisor seat on Valentine’s Day, becoming the latest of five individuals bidding for the position.

Though Pointer first announced her candidacy Feb. 14 at the Buellton City Council meeting, she sent out a formal announcement Feb. 19 stating her intention to run for 3rd District Supervisor.

“I wanted to see who all of the candidates were and see what that pool looked like,” Pointer said.

“It’s not so much that I’m not impressed by the other candidates, I just think I can offer more of an alternative middle voice.”

Pointer spoke about her campaign in generalities, but confirmed that transportation, environmental preservation of natural resources and public safety were among the top issues important to her campaign.

 

She also expressed interest in improving communication between the county and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, a relationship that has been strained because of talk of gamming expansion. Keeping an open channel of communication with UCSB also is important, she said.

“My intent is to try to keep the North County and South County from being so polarized,” she said, “so the county can find solutions to work with the tribe and the university.”

Pointer is the fifth person to announce her candidacy. Doreen Farr was first to announce her candidacy more than a year ago. She was followed by Dr. David Bearman, who announced his candidacy about a year ago. Steve Pappas made his announcement in November and John Smyser announced his bid for 3rd District Supervisor in December.

Though Pointer’s announcement comes later than other candidates, she remains hopeful that she will gain support from 3rd District constituents.

 

“What makes me more qualified is that I have the most years of public service in an elected capacity… which gives me more experience,” she said.

Pointer has been a Buellton City Council member for 16 years and was the Mayor of Buellton in 1995, 2003 and 2005.

The other candidates welcome Pointer to the race, but point out that her late entry may make her campaign challenging.

“I do think that she’s giving herself a real challenge coming in the race so late,” Bearman said. “It’s going to be an uphill battle for her, but I say welcome to the race.”

Farr said she looks forward to debating with Pointer about issues affecting the 3rd District.

To date Pointer has not raised any campaign funds and says that this fact ads may benefit her.

“I definitely feel like I have a chance, and I hope that I can show constituents it doesn’t take money to be successful,” she said. To date Farr has raised about $95,000 in campaign contributions, Smyser, more than $55,000, Bearman, nearly $24,000 and Pappas trails with $21,000.

 

“It’s going to take a little bit of time, but I hope there’s going to be a ground swell of support for me,” Pointer said. The application deadline to file for 3rd District Supervisor candidacy is March 7. For more information visit www.countyofsb.org.