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

It’s Time to Turn Ideas into Action!

Experienced Leadership.
Creative Vision.
Dedication to the Community.

Vote NINA FOR DISTRICT 6 – Tuesday, November 2, 2021

All voters in the City of Santa Barbara will be receiving a ballot with prepaid postage to vote on a Mayoral candidate. Voters in Districts 4, 5, and 6 will also be electing a Council member to represent their respective District. Register to vote here.

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PRIORITIES

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

Improve safety and cleanliness in neighborhoods and business corridors.

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

Spend wisely and build trust and transparency in local government.

Build a more inclusive, collaborative culture of listening to all voices to serve the community’s needs.

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’m ready to bring fresh ideas & innovative approaches to the challenges we face.

TESTIMONIALS

“
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
“
Nina Johnson’s 20 years of vigorous and astute participation in Santa Barbara city government presents voters with an unusual opportunity to incorporate hands-on experience onto our city council. Her 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
“
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

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

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.