Santa Maria councilmember Carlos Esco resigns from District 1 seat

Councilmember Carlos Esco delivered a written resignation to the Santa Maria City Council on March 3, 2026, stating that he will no longer meet the residency requirement for District 1 because of an upcoming move outside the district.

In the letter read aloud during the meeting, Esco asked the mayor and council to “please accept this letter of formal notice of my resignation from my position as council member for district 1 for with the city of Santa Maria effective March 3rd, 2026.” He told the council the decision was difficult but that stepping down was the “appropriate and responsible course of action.”

City Attorney Mr. Watson told the council he would provide a legal opinion on next steps, including whether the council could appoint a successor or whether the vacancy would remain until the municipal election in November. The mayor and other council members acknowledged the resignation and said staff would circulate guidance on appointment procedures and timing.

The resignation opens the District 1 seat. The council did not nominate or appoint a replacement at the March 3 meeting; the city attorney said any appointment process would be handled at a subsequent meeting and would follow statutory requirements.

Procedural background: vacancies in elective city offices can be filled either by appointment or left to the next scheduled election depending on local law, state election code, and the timing of the vacancy. The city attorney committed to providing a written memo explaining the city’s options and the timeline for any appointment or election step.

The council proceeded with its agenda after the announcement. The council’s clerk recorded public applause after the resignation was read.