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Lookout recently published a commentary accusing several Santa Cruz mayoral candidates of “political gamesmanship” and confusing voters. I wonder if that writer has followed the campaigns of any of the candidates, besides Ryan Coonerty. 

Does he know their platforms differ broadly? Did he even check?

Perhaps, if he were better informed, he’d be less confused.

It’s a huge endeavor to run a campaign. It takes unthinkable amounts of time, energy and dedication. Candidates don’t run on a lark, and it is insulting and irresponsible for Mark Stephens to cast his aspersions when he has not even been to any forums, as far as I can tell, having attended many.

I support Ami Chen Mills. I can testify she has been presenting her platform clearly and promoting herself as the best candidate for the job, showing up at nearly a dozen forums (while candidate Coonerty has skipped several). Unlike Coonerty, who entered the race anointed and financed, she is not backed by major corporate and establishment players in town. She differs from Coonerty in other essential ways, too. Her tireless leadership on removing Flock Safety cameras from our community is just one example of the forward thinking that she would bring to her mayorship. 

Coonerty, on the other hand, favors bringing back surveillance technology to Santa Cruz.  No less important, as an Asian American woman, Ami understands the threats many of us face in our community, and she consistently steps up as a compassionate listener and problem solver.

Ami’s candidacy, along with the others in this race, expand our choices. Isn’t that how a primary should work in a democracy? I am grateful that all four of the candidates Mr. Stephens complains about are running for mayor. Primaries are specifically designed to give voters choices and whittle the field down to the two strongest candidates so voters can look at them more clearly in the run-up to November. Bringing choices to a race for an important position like mayor in our city to the fall general election, when more voters turn out, is not bad for democracy.  Just the opposite. 

Linda Marin

Santa Cruz