A Lookout View: Bryan Hackett for Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge

Editor’s note: A Lookout View is the opinion of our Community Voices opinion section, written by our editorial board, which consists of Community Voices Editor Jody K. Biehl and Lookout Founder Ken Doctor. Our goal is to connect the dots we see in the news and offer a bigger-picture view — all intended to see Santa Cruz County meet the challenges of the day and to shine a light on issues we believe must be on the public agenda. These views are distinct and independent from the work of our newsroom and its reporting. Read more here.

The role of a Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge demands more than legal knowledge – it requires fairness, sound judgment and a steady commitment to applying the law without bias or outside influence. In this election, it’s clear that Bryan Hackett’s legal experience and courtroom familiarity stands out.

Hackett has built his career in the law through years of practice in criminal and civil matters, gaining firsthand experience with the realities of the courtroom from multiple perspectives. Hackett told our editorial board that his background and knowledge of cases provide him with a grounded understanding of how legal decisions affect not only the parties before the court, but the broader community that depends on a fair and functioning justice system.

In our endorsement meeting, he told us he has presented cases before all of the 12 current judges. He says we have one of the “nicest” courts in the state, that it’s an excellent workplace, where mutual respect reigns. 

Judicial elections in Santa Cruz County rarely happen. That is why electing a judge might seem unusual to many voters. Most Superior Court judges in California are appointed by the governor and then run unopposed when their seats come up for election. In this race, Judge Stephen Siegel is retiring and leaving an open seat without an appointed replacement. Hence the race, with the winner beginning a six-year term as judge in January 2027.  

The most recent significant contested Superior Court election in Santa Cruz County occurred in 2018, when Syda K. Cogliati won against public defender Zach D. Schwarzbach. The rarity of these judicial races makes this current race a unique moment for voters to directly shape the makeup of our local judiciary. That matters because judicial elections can influence not only legal outcomes, but also public confidence in the fairness, independence and philosophy of the courts.

Judges make daily decisions that carry significant consequences – from criminal sentencing and custody matters to complex civil disputes. Hackett describes himself as a “big fan” of appropriately used diversion and treatment-based alternatives to incarceration, especially for people whose criminal behavior is connected to mental health or substance abuse issues. He told our endorsement board he has an excellent relationship with the current sheriff, Chris Clark, and while he recognizes the need for a new jail, he said he also feels money should be put into diversion and mental health programs. 

During our endorsement meeting, we asked him why a defense attorney would want to become a judge. He told us that in his 15-plus years of practice, he has always tried to see the full tapestry of issues and that he has always seen himself as someone who looks at all sides of a case. We are impressed that as a former defense attorney, he got the backing of the Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association and from candidates across the Santa Cruz political spectrum as well as from current and former Santa Cruz County judges, including judges Mandy Tovar and Siegel, whose seat he would take, as well as retired judges John Salazar, Timothy Volkmann and Sam Stevens. He has also been endorsed by the Santa Cruz County Democratic Party, county supervisors Justin Cummings and Felipe Hernandez and Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley.

His opponent, Alisa Thomas, is an immigration attorney who does not have the courtroom background or stated allegiance to transparency Hackett possesses. She gave our correspondent only 30 minutes of her time for an interview, and declined to meet with our editorial board, making it difficult for us and for voters to evaluate her qualifications, judicial philosophy and approach to the bench. These rare open judicial elections should offer a more robust public debate, and those seeking the positions should bear that responsibility if they are going to enter the race

Thomas told our correspondent that she supports existing diversion programs, but does not believe they should be expanded significantly. She has endorsements from Superior Court judges Cogliati and Erika Ziegenhorn and from retired U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Alex Kozinski.

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Judges hold positions of significant public trust, and open communication with the community is an important part of earning that trust. Without meaningful public engagement, we are left with limited information about how Thomas would serve in such an important role. 

Hackett, on the other hand, appears to understand the role of communication, public discourse, transparency and the media. He has a refreshing openness we hope he maintains if elected. 

At its core, the judicial role is about fairness and the ability to listen carefully, weigh evidence impartially and apply the law as written, even in difficult or high-pressure cases. Hackett’s professional background reflects that discipline and commitment to the rule of law. In a time when public trust in institutions is closely watched, having judges who are grounded in experience and focused on fairness and transparency is essential to maintaining confidence in the legal system.

For those reasons, Bryan Hackett is our choice for Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge.

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