Press Releases

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate approved by unanimous consent Congressman Salud Carbajal’s (CA-24) bill to rename the U.S. Post Office on E. Battles Road in Santa Maria in honor of Larry Lavagnino, the City’s former Mayor, City Councilmember, and longtime resident.

“Every community should be so lucky to have a Larry Lavagnino,” said Rep. Carbajal. “A community champion such as Mayor Lavagnino is well deserving of recognition that will stand the tests of time – and I am proud as Santa Maria’s Representative in Congress to be the author of this legislation that will help cement that recognition.”

"I'm deeply honored and humbled,” said Mayor Larry Lavagnino. “I know there are many more deserving of this recognition but I am also very excited for my entire family. I only wish my mom and dad were around to witness this."

“Moving any piece of federal legislation isn't easy so I'm extremely grateful to Salud and his staff for getting this through Congress. I can't wait to see my dad's face when we finally unveil the new sign,” said Supervisor Steve Lavagnino.

The measure now heads to President Biden’s desk for his signature before becoming law. 

Congressman Carbajal spoke on the House floor in favor of his legislation prior to its passage, lauding Mayor Lavagnino’s decades of service to Santa Maria. Those remarks can be viewed here.

Larry Lavagnino served as Mayor of Santa Maria from 2002 to 2012, and as a Member of the Santa Maria City Council from 1996 to 2002.

During his time as Mayor, Santa Maria saw a significant number of improvements and additions, including a new library, multiple new fire stations, a new transit center, a new police department building, the expansion of the city’s wastewater treatment plant, and the widening of Santa Maria River Bridge and Highway 101.

On top of the above improvements during his tenure, Mayor Lavagnino was also able to help secure more than $46 million in federal funding for improvements to the Santa Maria River Levee, which protects thousands of homes and businesses in the area. He also helped bring about the Abel Maldonado Youth Center, which continues to provide a safe and welcoming space for teens.

Lavagnino is a graduate of Santa Maria Union High School and Allan Hancock College, and still lives four houses down from the Santa Maria home where he grew up.