California governor candidate Tom Steyer makes a campaign stop in San Luis Obispo

It’s not every day that a California governor hopeful makes a pit stop in our neck of the 805, but according to KEYT News Channel 3-12, Tom Steyer was up in San Luis Obispo this past Friday, just two weeks out from the June 2nd election. While SLO is a bit north of us, it’s a reminder that the Central Coast is very much on the map in this race—and that our concerns, from housing costs to wildfire resilience, are part of the statewide conversation. Steyer, the billionaire climate activist and former presidential candidate, has been hammering on environmental justice and clean energy, which resonates deeply here in Santa Barbara, where we live with the daily reality of drought, fire seasons, and a fragile coastline.

For those of us who remember the 2018 Thomas Fire and the Montecito mudslides, Steyer’s focus on climate adaptation hits close to home. Whether you agree with his politics or not, seeing a candidate carve out time for the Central Coast suggests that our region’s voice matters in this primary. So if you’re still undecided, maybe take a closer look at where the candidates stand on the issues that shape our backyard—because come June 2, our votes will help decide who leads California through the next big challenge.