Nina Johnson - Nina Johnson For Santa Barbara City Council District 6

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DOWNTOWN NEEDS A NEW LEADER

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE.
Creative Vision.
Dedication to the Community.

A VOTE FOR NINA JOHNSON IS A VOTE FOR CHANGE

Drop off or mail in your ballot by November 2, 2021.

See District 6 map here. Find ballot locations here.

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PRIORITIES

Keep State Street closed to vehicles, while improving pedestrian safety and aesthetics and ensuring business needs come first.

Create partnerships and incentives for a range of affordable housing options.

Champion public art and design excellence, improve opportunities for creative sector.

Spend wisely and build trust and transparency in local government.

Improve safety and cleanliness in neighborhoods and business corridors.

Advocate to help businesses thrive and entrepreneurs open their doors.

MEET NINA

I am fortunate to be a 25-year resident of the city of Santa Barbara. After serving in the top ranks of City Hall for over 20 years, I bring invaluable experience and knowledge of government operations and services to help the City Council better serve the community.

I am an advocate for local businesses and have a strong track record of bringing together diverse interests to get things done.

I have significant hands-on experience in organizational change, downtown revitalization, legislative advocacy, sustainability, arts & culture.

I want to build a more inclusive, collaborative culture of listening to all voices to serve the community’s needs, and I’m ready to bring fresh ideas & innovative approaches to the challenges we face.

Explore Nina's Big Ideas

TESTIMONIALS

“
If you don’t know Nina, ask around and you will soon learn what she is all about. She is a long-time local, she shops local, she listens, she connects, she includes, and she expresses your voices – your concerns like no one else. She cares about the community over herself and will bring long overdue change and accountability to Santa Barbara.

Cassandra Ensberg
FAIA Architect
“
Nina understands that more housing and developing mixed-use neighborhoods that support families as well as a thriving creative community must be our vision for downtown. We appreciate that other candidates may talk the talk, but we know that Nina has the experience, skills and network to get it done. With so many critical decisions ahead, we trust Nina to get it right.

Patrick Davis
Retired Executive Director of the S.B. County Arts Commission
“
Smart, energetic, passionate. Nina is amazing. I’m a small business owner here in Santa Barbara and I’ve had numerous encounters with her. I’m telling you – she loves this town, she supports our businesses, and she’s really the future for Santa Barbara.

Walter Claudio
Small Business Owner, Walter Claudio Salon & Spa
“
Although I vote in a different district, I write to express enthusiastic support for Nina Johnson, who has worked with city officials, businesses and the arts community for 25 years. We need Johnson’s voice on the council in the downtown, business, cultural and arts areas of District 6. Johnson will bring experience and a team spirit to the City Council. She understands that listening and mutual regard are required to make things happen.

Kathy Snow
“
Nina’s real interest in community groups, her experienced participation and leadership of many events and activities in town, all demonstrate the vital interest she has in true collaboration between the City Council and Santa Barbara’s citizens. Nina can be counted on to listen carefully to issues and invent sustainable solutions.

Elizabeth and Leon Olson
“
Nina’s expertise and institutional knowledge is exactly what is needed on the City Council ASAP! Her focus is what’s best for Santa Barbara governance. Her 25 year experience with City Hall will help the Council make the changes we need.

EJ Borah
Political Activist
“
I worked with Nina Johnson extensively on the AIA/SB State Street Charrette in 2020. Her insights were invaluable and she helped educate us on viable opportunities for enhancing the Santa Barbara community, revitalizing State Street as well as prompting thoughtful exchanges about affordable housing among all those that participated.

John P. Margolis
Local Architect
“
As a collective of local business we respect Nina’s vision for more business friendly Santa Barbara that embraces the historical culture while finding new ways to promote Sant Barbara

The Merchants of Sevilla Square
“
Nina thoroughly understands the inner workings of the City government and how it can adapt successfully to the demanding times we find ourselves in. She has common sense, is level headed, and works well with people who have competing interests. She understands how things are – and tells it like it is.

Bob Johnson
Founder of the MIT Enterprise Forum of the Central Coast
“
As a business owner in Santa Barbara and as an attorney that represents local business owners, I can’t say enough about Nina’s commitment to our city. She has a keen understanding of how to get things done, and a demonstrated commitment to making the city a better place to live and work for everyone.

Naomi Dewey
Attorney, Founder of Trusted Legal
“
Nina Johnson is smart, thoughtful and understands the City of Santa Barbara better than anyone I ever met in the many years of dealing with the city. We need a council member who knows how to get things done, knows the staff, and how it all works! Nina will be a great asset to District 6.

Claudia Bratton
Former Executive Director of Summer Solstice
“
I love Nina’s vision and commitment to exploring new ways to better our community and build shared inclusive experiences that support our downtown.

Elske Free
Owner of Creative Power Source

ACHIEVEMENTS

Led the demonstration of a pedestrian promenade (before the pandemic) with outdoor dining and art installations. Learn more here.
Envisioned and produced a music and art event at the State Street underpass, as an experiment to connect the Funk Zone and Downtown and serve as the gateway to Downtown. Learn more here.
Worked closely with local businesses to create current State Street Promenade.
Developed pop-up business program to help entrepreneurs fill vacant storefronts. Learn more here.
Partnered with 160 architects and design professionals to reimagine downtown, survey 4,800 residents, and create a window display at 901 State Street. Learn more here.
Developed a citywide outdoor smoking ban and responsible for successful grant award of over $1 million. Learn more here and here.
Advocated successfully for the City’s essential infrastructure needs, resulting in passage of Measure C to fund critical repairs to streets, parks, public safety facilities, and community buildings.
Worked with arts leaders to develop a Community Arts Workshop to meet the needs of local artists and arts organizations for performance and exhibit space.