For anyone who’s ever been interested in running for office, there’s an upcoming candidate workshop in Santa Maria to help first-timers hit the ground running.
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce partnered with Pacific Campaign Solutions to organize a master class-style event that aims to show participants the ins and outs of managing an effective, message-driven campaign—from filing paperwork to raising funds and winning votes.
‘There aren’t a lot of great resources out there for the new person considering running for office. That is why we have brought a Candidate Academy to fruition.’
—Suzanne Singh, Santa Maria Valley Chamber vice president of economic development and government affairs
Known as the Candidate Academy, the nonpartisan program will take place at the Santa Maria Public Library on April 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
“This is the first time we have done something like this,” Chamber Vice President of Economic Development and Government Affairs Suzanne Singh told the Sun in an email interview.
“There aren’t a lot of great resources out there for the new person considering running for office,” she explained. “That is why we have brought a Candidate Academy to fruition.”
Led by experienced campaign professionals from Pacific Campaign Solutions, the academy will highlight topics that include voter targeting, media strategies, election rules, and other information tailored to support candidates seeking to run for a Santa Maria-area office.
Singh said that the local chamber’s partnership with Pacific Campaign Solutions came about through networking with the Tri-County Chamber Alliance, which serves Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties.
“[It’s] a committee of chamber executives interested in following legislation that helps and hurts the business community,” Singh said. “We have a relationship with a lobbyist for our alliance, and he has experience with guiding and running campaigns.”
The alliance’s lobbyist worked with the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce to plan the academy and helped organize an informational mixer in mid-April at Orcutt’s Wine Stone Inn to give attendees a sneak peek at what to expect from the program.
“There seems to be a lot of uncertainty within the political realm of things, and we as a chamber felt it important to help along the process of those who would consider understanding what it would take to be in a political, elected position,” said Singh, who added that the academy aims to shed light on the different elected positions that participants can consider—including local school boards, water boards, airport boards, and other committees.
Something a participant may be passionate about may be “best served by a board they may not have known existed,” Singh said.
“It’s a great way to educate them that not every decision in their community comes from city council,” Singh said. “Learning what elected positions impact is important, as sometimes folks don’t understand that there are many elected positions out there, and [a decision] is not always … made by the elected body they believe it to be.”
The primary goal of the Candidate Academy is to provide those interested in campaigning for a position “an overview of what to do, and what to expect, and how to win an election,” Singh said.
To find out more about the April 24 event, visit santamaria.com or call (805) 925-2403.
“Our mission is to be a convener of leaders and influencers,” Singh said. “By providing this high-level training, we are ensuring that those who wish to serve our community have the strategic and technical knowledge to run effective, compliant, and message-driven campaigns.”
Highlights
•The Lompoc Beautification and Appearance Commission encourages residents to participate in its annual Spring Yard Beautification Contest. Nominations are due by May 11, while judging is set to take place on May 12. First, second, and third place awards will go to “the most colorful and best drought-tolerant front landscapes,” according to a release from Lompoc. Only yards that can be seen while in a vehicle from the street will be considered. For more info, email beautification@ci.lompoc.ca.us.
•The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo recently announced its four queen candidates for 2026: Annabella Williams (Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club), Reiyna Sarin (Allan Hancock College Athletic Booster Club), Morgan Fasse (St. Joseph High School Boosters), and Savannah Salcido (Kiwanis of Guadalupe). Visit elksrec.com to read about each candidate. The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo is also currently seeking individuals to participate in its National Anthem Contest. Anyone interested can email their audition videos to elksrodeo@elksrec.com.
Reach Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in April 23 – April 30, 2026.