David Silva elected to second term as Buellton mayor

Different election, same outcome: Buellton Mayor  David Silva defeated Dave King on Tuesday, successfully blocking his predecessor’s attempt to win back the seat.

As of 9:34 p.m. Silva had 64.4 percent of the vote while King had votes, or 35.5 percent according to the Santa Barbara County Elections Office.

City of Buellton

Returns as of Nov 4, 1:58 am PST

Mayor

Precincts reported: 6 of 6 (100%)

1. David Silva Nonpartisan✓ Winner63.4%866 votes
2. Dave King Nonpartisan36.5%498 votes
3. Write-in votes0.1%1 vote

1,365 total votes

Full results →

Reload this page for the latest published returns.

“I am very excited and so grateful for everyone who voted for me, and I know we have to wait for more to come in,” Silva said.

Silva said he’s heard from people who feel Buellton has gained momentum since he was elected in 2024. He talked about making Buellton a welcoming, inclusive place where families can put down roots and build a community together. He said people feel like there’s “wind behind us right now.”

King said: “Well, you know, those are basically the mail-in ballots, and I think a lot of ballots are still outstanding. It looks a little daunting right now, but you know how it is in Santa Barbara. We won’t know until November.”

Live updates and results can be found via the News-Press Voter Tracker.

Silva carried a strong financial lead into the closing stretch of the race with roughly $35,703 in campaign contributions and $21,941 in expenditures, according to Oct. 17 campaign filings.

His opponent reported $3200 in monetary contributions and $920 in expenditures. 

The race drew clear partisan lines, with Silva receiving backing from the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party, and the County Republican Party throwing its weight behind King.

Silva gathered with supporters at Zaca Creek Tavern, where he, Billy Silvola and Carla Mead scheduled an election night watch party and volunteer appreciation event. 

As Silva prepares for another term, some items at the top of his agenda include the investment in accessible playground equipment at all city parks, improving traffic and circulation along Highway 246, opening the Santa Ynez Children’s Museum and bringing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan to Buellton and the valley.

Those projects, Silva said, “would be what I continue working on Wednesday, November 4th.”

The campaign offered competing views of how Buellton should go about spending its money, with Silva defending investments in community amenities and King calling for greater emphasis on core municipal services.

King, a retired California Highway Patrol Officer, criticized the city’s 2025 pledge of $1 million to the children’s museum, arguing it benefitted too narrow an audience. Silva argued that infrastructure maintenance and major projects can be accomplished concurrently while still maintaining a balanced budget.

An Orcutt native and UC Santa Barbara graduate, Silva works as UCSB’s senior director of development for Annual Giving Programs. He first joined the Buellton City Council in 2022 before winning the mayor’s seat in 2024. 

Silva’s civic roles also extend beyond Buellton, as he continues to take active roles in state and other regional policy. He joined the California Air Resources Board in March 2026 and regularly weighs in on regional transportation and energy boards.

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