Lois Capps endorses Salud Carbajal to be her successor

Rep. Lois Capps endorsed Santa Barbara County Supervisor Salud Carbajal for her congressional seat at a special event in San Luis Obispo on Sunday.

Capps, who announced in April that she would retire at the end of the current session of Congress, said she will be voting for Carbajal to fill her seat in the House of Representatives in 2016. The 24th District represents San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, as well as parts of Ventura County.

"This 24th congressional district is a very strongly contested district, and nobody knows that more than the folks in San Luis Obispo," Capps said. "That's why it is especially important that I believe I put my marker down and tell you all that on June 7, 2016, I'm going to be voting for Salud Carbajal for Congress."

Carbajal was elected to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors in 2004. Before that, he attended the UC Santa Barbara and Fielding University, as well as served eight years in the United States Marine Corps Reserves.

At the event held at the San Luis Obispo County Democrat Party’s headquarters on Sunday, Carbajal said if elected, he would focus on creating jobs, improving public education and protecting the environment, among other issues.

"I can't tell you how giddy I've been and excited about Lois's endorsement," Carbajal said. "It sends a strong message of confidence in my message and service and track record to be an effective representative in 2016."

Other official contenders for the 24th District seat include San Luis Obispo farmer Bill Ostrander and Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider — both Democrats — and Republicans Justin Fareed, a 2014 congressional candidate, and State Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian.

This story was originally published June 7, 2015 at 12:29 PM with the headline "Lois Capps endorses Salud Carbajal to be her successor."