Meet James
I’m James Zurlinden, and I’m running for Santa Barbara City Council because our city is at a turning point.
Housing is becoming harder to afford, local businesses are under pressure, and too many people feel like they don’t have a voice in the decisions shaping our community. I’m running to bring practical solutions, accountability, and a stronger connection between our city and the people who call it home.
My values were shaped early on. I grew up in a working family. My dad was a union carpenter, my mom drove school buses, and I have two older sisters who helped keep me grounded and shaped who I am today. I may have grown up in Arizona, but Santa Barbara is my home.
As a kid, I was involved in the Boy Scouts and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. That experience taught me responsibility, preparation, teamwork, and what it really means to lead. Service was not just something we talked about, it was something we practiced. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life.
I followed my passion for food and studied Culinary Arts at Johnson and Wales University in Denver, then continued on to Northern Arizona University for Hotel and Restaurant Management. I spent 15 years working as a chef, and the kitchen taught me more about people, teamwork, and leadership than any classroom ever could.
Kitchens are intense environments. They bring together people from all walks of life, strong personalities, and different viewpoints, but in the end everyone has to work toward the same goal. In leadership roles, I learned how to listen, make decisions under pressure, and bring people together around a shared vision.
Today, I work in advertising and marketing and am pursuing my Certified Financial Planner designation. I chose this path because I want to help people build stability and confidence around their financial future. Financial literacy is one of the most important life skills a person can have, yet too often people are left to figure it out on their own.
Coming from a working family, I saw firsthand how hard people work to provide and how difficult it can be when resources are tight. My family experienced those moments. That perspective stays with me and drives my belief that leadership should be practical, thoughtful, and focused on real outcomes for everyday people.
Living in Santa Barbara is a privilege, but it also comes with real challenges. As a working member of this community, I understand how difficult the cost of living can be. There were years when I worked multiple jobs to make rent and cover basic expenses. Like many others, I have shared housing because that is simply what makes it affordable.
Those experiences shaped how I see our city today. I know what it feels like to budget carefully, to weigh every decision, and to work hard just to stay afloat in a place you love. That is why I care so deeply about creating a more balanced and sustainable path forward for Santa Barbara.
I genuinely love being part of this community. Some of my favorite days are simple ones spent walking through our parks or along Hendry’s Beach with my wife and our dog, hiking the front range, enjoying free music and movies in our parks, or supporting the local businesses that give Santa Barbara its character.
At heart, I am someone who likes to build things. Whether it is a spice rack, a chair, or restoring a classic car, I enjoy working with my hands and creating something that lasts. That mindset carries into everything I do. I take pride in the details and believe in leaving things better than I found them.
Let’s build a better path forward together
This campaign is about showing up, listening, and actually getting things done for our community.
If you believe in a more practical, accountable, and community focused approach to Santa Barbara’s future, I’d love your support.
