Don’t you think it’s time to elect a City Council member who knows how to get things done, not just hire “consultants?”
If so, then I have someone who may be just the ticket.
I was invited to lunch by a friend last week to meet Monte Wilson for City Council 2026 — a candidate to represent District 4 — and I came away impressed by the depth of his experience, his thoughtful approach to public policy, and his heartfelt commitment to this community we all love.
Monte isn’t what you might call a typical political candidate. He’s not running for a career in politics — he’s running because Santa Barbara is his home and he believes in its potential. After a long and successful career leading major transformations in the private sector, including roles with industry leaders such as Adobe and Oracle, Monte has turned his focus to local community leadership — a transition that reflects both his capabilities and his values.
What stands out immediately about Monte is his commitment to results driven leadership. On his campaign website, he talks about “bringing fresh ideas, commonsense leadership, and a results driven focus to move our city forward” and “cutting through gridlock and focusing on real solutions that make our city stronger.” That resonates profoundly in a time when too much of civic life is caught up in debates rather than deliverables.
Monte and his wife, Maria, have built deep roots here. They’ve been married for thirty years and together have raised a family that is now choosing to raise the next generation right here in Santa Barbara. Maria’s own journey — immigrating as a child from Bogotá, Colombia — and her decades of service to community causes, underscores the Wilson family’s strong connection to this place and its people.
What really impressed me about Monte is how his values aren’t abstract — they’re lived. For more than a decade, he has co-chaired Rally4Kids, the largest annual fundraiser for the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, raising millions to support afterschool programs and mentorship for local youth. He has served on boards, volunteered with the Santa Barbara Police Foundation, mentored young professionals, and invested in local entrepreneurs. Monte and Maria also cofounded Santa Barbara Cars & Coffee as a nonprofit, raising funds for causes like Toys for Tots and the Unity Shoppe.
In addition to his many other philanthropic commitments, Monte has also been an active supporter of the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, an incredible local nonprofit that provides financial, emotional, and educational support to families of children living with cancer in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties. Monte and Maria have supported the foundation through sponsorships and fundraising efforts, helping raise much-needed funds for families navigating the challenges of pediatric cancer. Maria served on the Board of Directors, and the Wilson family’s connection to this cause underscores their deep investment in supporting those in need within the Santa Barbara community.
Their small business — The Painted Cabernet on State Street — is more than just a storefront. It’s a community hub that reflects their belief in creativity, connection, and the importance of supporting local culture and commerce. It’s one thing to talk about small business support in a campaign — and quite another to live it every day.
Addressing Housing and Affordability
One of the biggest challenges facing Santa Barbara is its housing crisis. Monte has been a vocal advocate for pragmatic solutions that encourage housing development without sacrificing the character of our city. His policy vision emphasizes that more housing is necessary — but it needs to be the right type of housing in the right locations, with a particular focus on affordable housing for working families and young professionals.
Monte’s strategy includes a mix of adaptive reuse of existing buildings — especially downtown — which could speed up the availability of new housing. He believes Santa Barbara needs to incentivize this approach to revitalize aging structures and increase supply. He also advocates for more creative zoning and land-use policies that make it easier for developers to create mixed-use communities that combine housing, retail, and public space.
The Economy and Santa Barbara’s Future
Monte has a clear vision for Santa Barbara’s economic future. He understands that local businesses are the heart of our economy and that their success drives the health of the entire community.
He is committed to supporting local businesses by helping streamline regulations, reduce red tape, and help businesses access the resources they need to thrive. He also supports investment in local workforce development programs that give residents the skills needed for high-paying, sustainable jobs in sectors like technology, healthcare, and clean energy.
Public Safety and Community Engagement
Public safety is a cornerstone of Monte’s platform. His approach to public safety is both comprehensive and balanced: he advocates for smart policing with an emphasis on community policing models, where officers build relationships with residents to prevent crime before it happens.
A Vision for a More Connected Santa Barbara
At its heart, Monte Wilson’s campaign is about ensuring that Santa Barbara doesn’t just survive — it thrives. His vision for District 4 — and Santa Barbara as a whole — is one where everyone, from longtime residents to newcomers, is part of the conversation and can live, work, and play in a city that respects its history and values but isn’t afraid to move forward.
Monte’s focus isn’t on grandstanding — it’s on getting things done. Whether it’s advocating for adaptive reuse and downtown revitalization or thinking creatively about housing economics, he brings a problem solver’s mindset and a willingness to engage constructively with complex issues. Several of his published pieces lay out concrete steps — like fast tracking adaptive reuse for housing in downtown Santa Barbara — that illustrate how his thinking translates into action.
What I heard most clearly at our lunch was someone who listens before he leads, who respects the city’s traditions while recognizing the opportunities ahead, and who genuinely wants to bridge divides rather than deepen them.
As Monte says, “Santa Barbara isn’t a stepping stone — it’s home.” And he’s committed to putting his proven leadership to work. I came away inspired by his vision, energized by his approach, and confident that he will bring a steady, thoughtful, and effective voice to the City Council if elected.
If you’d like to learn more about Monte’s priorities or get involved, I encourage you to visit his campaign website at www.monte4sb.com.
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I certainly approve of a small business owner and someone with his background being elected to city Council. With labor unions, NGO’s and nonprofit organizations working against him, I’m not sure about his chances.
When the city changed the voting process to only allow residence of each district to vote for a candidate in their district instead of citywide voting, the insured the likelihood of being able to isolate and propagandize large blocks of marginalized citizens that vote on single issues. I think it is hurt candidates such as Monty with the overall health of the city in mind.
At some point, I hope the inhabitants of the city wake up and see what the current policies of our city Council and Board of supervisors are doing and change their voting tendencies
For too long it has seemed as if our Mayor, as the only businessman on the Council, has been the only dissenting voice of reason when the long string of disaster-prone decisions has been proposed and implemented. Monte seems to be the sort of monied elite who takes his responsibility of wealth as a challenge to go Good. More power to him. He sounds exactly like what we need right now. AND let's vote to change the system back to being able to vote for council members at large, not by sectioned off neighborhoods. That has only given us racial ideologues who have voted against the betterment of the community as a whole.