Abraham Lincoln’s decision in 1861 to appoint three of his political opponents to his cabinet should have helped steer Santa Maria officials’ approach to filling a recent City Council vacancy, in resident Gale McNeeley’s view.
“Mayor Patino, you can be the Abraham Lincoln of Santa Maria. I know you don’t look like him, but you could be,” McNeeley said during public comment at the council’s April 7 meeting. “Mayor Patino, I think you would be very brave—if you’re going to appoint someone—to appoint Diana Perez.”
By appointing Mayor Alice Patino’s rival in the 2024 mayoral election, McNeeley said that the council could “lead this city into an era we’re not used to: where people who disagree work together to make the city better.”
Perez was one of five applicants who formally asked for the council’s consideration to be the new 1st District representative following former Councilmember Carlos Escobedo’s sudden resignation in March.
While four of the five attended the April 7 meeting to speak in person with the council, Perez was out of town, according to city staff and one city official.
“Can we get Miss Perez on the phone?” Patino asked city staff.
“She’s 17 hours ahead of us,” a staff member replied.
“She’s in Japan,” Councilmember Gloria Flores said.
Shortly after hearing from the four applicants who spoke in person—including Maria Salguero, Escobedo’s opponent for the 1st District seat in 2024—Councilmember Flores said she was ready to nominate one of them.
“It’s late, I feel sorry for all of you,” Flores told attendees of the meeting around 10 p.m. “I nominate Ricardo Batalla.”
Patino seconded Flores’ motion, which passed 3-1 (Councilmember Gloria Soto dissented).
The council swore Batalla in after the vote. Prior to the vote, Batalla told the council he was born and raised in the 1st District, on West Williams Street.
“This community is deeply personal to me,” he said at the meeting.
Batalla will sit on the dais until after the upcoming November election. Whoever wins that election will finish the term’s remainder through 2028.
In his role as the Santa Maria Valley YMCA’s youth development director, Batalla told the Sun that he oversees programs that serve 2,000 students, while supervising more than 150 YMCA staff members. He’s also the current president-elect of the Rotary Club of Santa Maria.
“My commitment to service began at a young age as a Santa Maria Police Explorer, which helped shape my passion for community engagement and public safety,” Batalla said via email. “Public safety is essential, and I support a proactive, community-based approach. This includes strengthening partnerships between law enforcement and the community, investing in youth prevention programs, expanding neighborhood policing efforts, and supporting resources for mental health response teams.”
The council’s new 1st District representative added that he will aim to move city policies forward that prevent excessive rent increases and protect families from being priced out of their homes. Immigration is another “real challenge” in Santa Maria that will “require thoughtful and compassionate solutions,” Batalla said.
“I understand the fear many families are experiencing due to increased ICE activity,” he said. “I am committed to ensuring our community has access to accurate information and resources, while also maintaining trust between residents and local institutions so families feel safe seeking support when needed.”
This article appears in April 16 – April 23, 2026.