Editor’s note: This story is one in a series on the June 2 primary election. For more coverage, visit vcstar.com/news/elections.
Democratic incumbent Salud Carbajal and Republican challenger Bob Smith took an early lead in the June 2 primary election for the 24th Congressional District.
In preliminary results released shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m., Carbajal of Goleta had 51,952 votes or 53.7% of the vote counted so far. Smith, a Carpinteria resident, had 37,653 votes or 38.9%.
Democrat Sarah Bacon of Santa Barbara gained 5,436 votes or 5.6%. Peace and Freedom Party candidate Helena Pasquarella of Ojai had 1,643 votes or 1.7%
What to know about California’s 24th Congressional District
The top two finishers regardless of party advance to the general election on Nov. 3. The district includes about 750,000 people in all of Santa Barbara County, part of San Luis Obispo County and a portion of Ventura County that includes Ventura and Ojai.
Election issues include inflation, housing costs, the war in Iran and immigration enforcement.
Carbajal, 61, is seeking his sixth term in Congress. He said his top priority is lowering the cost of living for working families.
Smith, 46, is a systems engineer and retired Navy commander. His campaign also focused on the economy and making housing affordable.
Bacon, 45, is a graduate student at UC Santa Barbara and was elected to serve as vice president of external affairs for the school’s graduate student association. Her top priority is fighting corruption in government and election reform.
Pasquarella, educator and caregiver who lost in the primary in 2024, said her goal is to persuade people who don’t usually participate in elections to get involved and cast ballots.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: 24th Congressional District primary race results
Reporting by Staff reports / Ventura County Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
