Bob Smith

Bob Smith enlisted in the Navy at eighteen and stayed for more than 26 years, rising to commander.¹ He now lives in Carpinteria with his wife, Adriana, and their children, after a career that included combat deployments and work on advanced naval weapons systems.¹

Along the way, he earned degrees in engineering technology and systems engineering. His campaign highlights a 2023 Navy Engineer of the Year recognition among his professional achievements.¹ He presents that technical experience as a reason to approach public problems through practical solutions and measurable results.¹

Smith also hosts the local interview program Santa Barbara Forum. His congressional bid is his first run for elected office, and he promises regular public town halls and service to residents across party lines.¹²

His platform calls for lower housing, food and energy costs, stronger vocational and science education, reliable power and more water storage. On immigration, he supports stronger border enforcement, legal clarity for longtime residents and changes to agricultural and seasonal visas.² Smith appears on the November ballot as a Republican, but changed his registration to no party preference in September.³ He faces Democratic incumbent Salud Carbajal in the Central Coast's Twenty Fourth District.⁴