Edhat Staff
Roy Lee and Frank Troise Look to Unseat Longtime Santa Barbara County Supervisors
Carpinteria restaurant owner and two-term city council-member Roy Lee announced his candidacy for the County Board of Supervisors in District 1.
Lee, a registered Democrat and owner of Uncle Chen Restaurant, is seen as a moderate and business-oriented voice in the city council. In a press release, Lee expressed his commitment to bringing a fresh perspective rooted in the values of honesty, integrity, and service, citing the concerns of constituents who feel ignored and have lost faith in current leadership.
“I am committed to working tirelessly to bring a responsive and transparent approach
to county government. My top priority is creating housing solutions that meet the needs of our
residents while protecting our communities from unchecked development,” said Lee in a press release.
Das Williams currently sits in the District 1 seat which includes the communities of Carpinteria, Montecito, Cuyama, and parts of Santa Barbara. Williams has been heavily involved in the creation of the county’s cannabis ordinance and has faced criticism for the impact of the cannabis industry on Carpinteria, including odor complaints and enforcement issues. Williams also resides in Carpinteria, an area where cannabis-cultivating greenhouses have become prominent.
Williams won the seat in 2016 and took office at the start of 2017. He faced a challenge from now District 2 Supervisor Laura Capps in 2020 where he eked out a win, although the raise highlighted community concerns over Williams’ involvement with the cannabis industry.
District 3 Supervisor Joan Hartmann is also facing a challenge from local businessman and Santa Ynez Valley resident Frank Troise.
Originally from New York, Troise has a long career in finance and international business. He founded SoHo Capital in 1997 and grew the company to a large wealth management firm. The company most recently launched a fund specifically designed to invest in climate-related technology based in Goleta, according to a press release.
Troise served on a bipartisan county commission to help the Santa Barbara County Employee Retirement System address a looming revenue shortfall during 2009-2012. He also has held key appointed posts at the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
“I will bring real-world experience and new ideas to the county and help solve the pressing challenges facing our community— public safety, homelessness, and climate change. I am confident that with hard work, we can forge a bright future for Santa Barbara County,” Troise said in a press release.
Hartmann took the District 3 seat in 2017 representing Gaviota, Lompoc, Santa Ynez Valley, and parts of Goleta. Before that she served three years as a County Planning Commissioner.
During Hartmann’s tenure she’s focused on transitioning to a renewable energy economy; protecting open space, especially along the Gaviota Coast; promoting parks, trails and active living; expanding economic opportunities, including Broadband for All, advancing the welfare of children and seniors, and addressing homelessness.
The primary election for the County Board of Supervisors is set for March 5, 2024.
Roy is a good guy with common sense. I hope he unseats Das.
I don’t know anything about Troise but I’ve always like Hartmann and think she does a good job. Troise could go for Lavagnino and Nelson’s seat ANY day.
Lee has my vote for sure.
Seems like a good guy and I also welcome a change from DW.
I’m so sick of Das’s policies that are catered towards transactions that involve political “donations” and continued support to the BOS.
Think county cannabis (black market, odor, licensing monopoly), big developments, County Fire fiasco. Das has had both hands in the cookie jar for far too long and I want him and his personal finances investigated dating from his time as a supervisor and going back to his prior political service.
I won’t be surprised if a landslide vote unseats him as I think we all know it’s long overdue at this point.
Das has totally sold out and his position has gone to his head in a way that makes him non-responsive to constituent needs and even vengeful and punitive in how he deals with people.
I’m vetting Lee, I hope he is decent, I can’t imagine he is worse than Das.
Time for a change.