Oscar Gutierrez
"I consider myself lucky to have been born and raised in Santa Barbara, 'the American Rivera.' I’m a proud alumnus of our quality local education system, having graduated with honors from San Marcos High School, followed shortly by my graduation from the School of Media Arts at Santa Barbara City College where I earned three national awards. I went on to earn a degree from the University California, Santa Barbara where I received high honors in the Film Department, and won UCLA's Best Documentary award for my senior film project. In my 19-year Journalism and Videography career I worked for ABC, Warner Brothers, Univision, SBCC, and UCSB, among others, and received more than 30 national and regional nominations and awards. That career also involved working with local government and public service sectors, and media coverage of local politics. Those experiences prompted me to step up and serve as the first millennial elected to the Santa Barbara City Council.
It’s my pleasure to represent my district and my hometown. As a bilingual member of Council, I’m able to engage a large portion of Santa Barbara’s diverse population, including those who previously felt underrepresented. I strongly believe that one's career should be more than just a way to pay bills, it should also help to define a person. I trust that the decisions I make as a Councilmember will define me as a representative strongly committed to the community I serve."
Term in Office
Current term: through December 2024
Elected to the City Council in a Special Election held June 2018.
Appointed to a five-year term in August 2019
Served as Mayor Pro Tempore in 2021 for a one-year term.
Committees, Agencies and Liaisons
Advisory Groups
- Access Advisory Committee
- Arts Advisory Committee
- Community Events and Festivals Committee
- Fire and Police Commission
- Historic Landmarks Commission (alternate)
- Living Wage Advisory Committee (alternate)
- Neighborhood Advisory Council
- Rental Housing Mediation Board (alternate)
- Santa Barbara Youth Council
- Sister Cities Board
City Council Standing Committees
Ad Hoc Committees
- Housing Crisis Task Force, Chair
- State Street Interim Operations Ad Hoc Committee
City-Related Agencies
- PATH Neighborhood Partnership
- Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts
Regional Agencies
- CommUnify