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.
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Santa Cruz’s South County is facing a moment when residents are asking for more than routine governance – they are asking for leadership that is present, prepared and accountable in a direct way. In this race for District 4 county supervisor, Tony Nuñez stands out as the candidate offering a clear break from business-as-usual politics and a stronger focus on engagement, responsiveness and long-term community vitality.
Nuñez brings a background in journalism, where the work requires discipline, curiosity and a commitment to facts before conclusions. That foundation shows up in how he approaches public policy: informed, deliberate and focused on real-world outcomes rather than political talking points. His campaign has centered on issues that matter deeply in South County – economic opportunity, public health, including the future of Watsonville Community Hospital, housing affordability and rebuilding trust between local government and the South County community.
He has also emphasized civic engagement, particularly among younger voters who often feel overlooked in local decision-making. He points out that Watsonville is one of the only cities in the county where the population trends young. Yet, Nuñez notes, voter turnout among those 18 to 30 is abysmal. Voters remain those 50 and above, and even there, too few turn out. In the 2022 supervisor race, when Felipe Hernandez defeated Jimmy Dutra and Ed Acosta, only 6,504 votes were cast among the 24,954 eligible voters (26%).
Nuñez sees reversing these trends as fundamental not just in election years – but in all the months in between. He believes that improving turnout and participation is about creating a government that is consistently accessible and responsive between election cycles. We concur. We applaud his promise of visibility and to be available to all who seek him out. This reflects our straightforward belief: Constituents should not have to struggle to be heard.
We believe his election could make a positive generational difference in our politics.
In contrast, our discussions with community members and other local officials have raised continuing concerns about incumbent Felipe Hernandez’s leadership, including questions about ongoing engagement and administrative follow-through. We are also concerned about his fiscal irresponsibility, as he has repeatedly not filed financial statements (California Form 460) on time. This either shows a disregard for state law or a lack of detail unacceptable for a candidate who expects to be reelected. We will be watching the results of the California Fair Political Practices Commission inquiry into his campaign.
Naturally, opinions on performance vary depending on perspective, but what is clear is that many residents are looking for a more active and consistent presence from their elected representative. Hernandez has enough missed key moments to connect with his constituents to concern us and to make us believe he is no longer the best candidate for the job. Lookout correspondents – and our editorial board – have struggled to connect with him at times.
At election time, incumbents also like to cite their accomplishments, noting dollar impacts. Hernandez has said publicly and in interviews that he has brought $800 million into the district, but has not, despite promising to do so, offered a clear list of projects and funds, despite several requests.
One of the biggest issues of concern in South County is the proposed lithium battery storage plant. Some concerned neighbors say they feel unheard by Hernandez. He insists he shows up and takes concerns seriously, but the debate has exposed a broader frustration among some residents who feel decisions are moving forward faster than meaningful public engagement.
The third candidate in the race, Elias Gonzales, offers a refreshing voice. He brings a community-organizing and nonprofit background to the race, with much of his work focused on youth programs, community engagement and South County advocacy. He has emphasized affordability, immigration concerns, relationship-building and what he describes as a more collaborative, community-centered style of leadership.
We admire Gonzales for his deep roots in Watsonville and his firsthand experience working with underserved communities through organizations such as Youth Alliance, Community Action Board and MILPA (Motivating Individual Leadership for Public Advancement). His campaign has emphasized accessibility, relationship-building and representation for South County residents who often feel overlooked in county government. We believe he is a promising leader and a candidate to watch in the years ahead.
At the same time, during our District 4 forum, he did not demonstrate a strong grasp of the county’s current budget challenges or identify clear working relationships and alliances within the existing board of supervisors that would help him be effective immediately upon taking office. Additionally, scheduling demands related to his work prevented our editorial board from meeting with him independently before publication.
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For us, Nuñez represents a needed shift in leadership. As a young father, he brings a personal understanding of the pressures facing working families in South County – from cost-of-living challenges to long-term economic stability. His approach is not theoretical; it is grounded in lived experience and a practical understanding of what it takes for families and communities to thrive. At our Watsonville forum, he – along with Hernandez and Gonzales – voiced support for the continued progress on passenger rail in the county.
Nuñez has pointed to his experience as chair of the Pajaro Valley Health Care District board of directors as evidence that he can lead complex public institutions during periods of uncertainty. If elected, that record will likely continue to face close public scrutiny. Watsonville Community Hospital still confronts significant financial and operational challenges, including multimillion-dollar losses and ongoing efforts to secure outside management partnerships. Because Nuñez has become one of the central public figures associated with the hospital’s recovery, its long-term stability may serve as a continuing measure of his leadership style, decision-making and effectiveness in public office.
As South County faces mounting pressures around growth, infrastructure, healthcare and economic uncertainty, the role of county leadership will remain especially consequential. We believe Tony Nuñez offers a forward-looking approach rooted in preparation, accessibility, and a commitment to showing up for the community consistently.
South County deserves leadership that is engaged, transparent and focused on the future. Nuñez is the candidate best prepared to meet that standard.
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