Stuart Kasdin was elected to his first four-year term on City Council in November of 2016 and re-elected in 2020. In 2024, Councilmember Kasdin was re-elected to serve as the first Councilmember representing District 4. District 4 encompasses Southwest Goleta and the Ellwood area. On December 17, 2024, Councilmember Kasdin was selected to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore, and previously served as Mayor Pro Tempore in 2017, 2018, and 2022. To find out what district you live in, click here.

Meetings are available with Mayor Pro Tempore Kasdin upon request. Please click here to contact him. 

Mayor Pro Tempore Kasdin serves as the City’s representative to the following organizations: 

• Foundation for Girsh Park
• Regional Integrated Waste Management Reporting Authority
• South Coast Airport Commission (Council Liaison)

He is the alternate for:

• Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens

Mayor Pro Tempore Kasdin also sits on the following City committees:

• Finance and Audit Standing Committee
• Fire Station Development Ad Hoc Committee
• Goleta Beach Park Standing Committee
• Homelessness Issues Standing Committee
• Human Services Standing Committee
• Legislative Issues Ad Hoc Committee
• Personnel Committee
• Revenue Neutrality Ad Hoc Agreement Committee
• Ordinance Review Standing Committee

Prior to joining the City Council, Kasdin worked in the Federal Office of Management and Budget for 12 years. He was also an assistant professor at Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration, George Washington University.  His research and classes covered issues related to public administration and governmental budgeting. He left the position to be with his family in Goleta. 

He received a PhD in Political Science in 2009 from University of California, Santa Barbara. Prior to that he received dual Masters, one in Agricultural and Resource Economics and a Masters in International Agricultural Development from the University of California, Davis. He also received a BA in History from State University of New York, Binghamton.

Kasdin is most passionate about creating parks and open space, side-by-side with smart growth.  He poses the question, "How do we design the city to maintain the quality of life, accommodate state housing demands and provide for affordable rents?"

Kasdin is currently an adjunct professor at Santa Barbara City College. He lives in western Goleta with his wife and son. 

Contact Mayor Pro Tempore Kasdin: skasdin@cityofgoleta.org or (805) 961-7539.