The Lookout Editorial Board endorses Michael Zeller and Danny Reber for Scotts Valley City Council. The board believes their combined experience and connections will benefit the council as it navigates the Town Center project, budget constraints and the need to meet affordable housing numbers mandated by the state.
Lookout Editorial Board
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Karen Cogswell for Cabrillo College trustee
With Cabrillo College at an important crossroads with finances, attracting and retaining students, expanding its offerings and rebuilding trust with parts of the community after the debate over changing the school’s name, the Lookout Editorial Board endorses Karen Cogswell for the Area 6 seat on Cabrillo’s governing board, citing the most relevant experience, the clearest ideas and the strongest grasp of the college’s challenges among the three candidates.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Ryan Coonerty for Santa Cruz mayor
Santa Cruz is at a pivotal moment of change, and its next mayor will need experience, political savvy and a clear vision for the city’s future. The Lookout Editorial Board endorses Ryan Coonerty over Ami Chen Mills, recognizing her advocacy and the concerns she raises about homelessness, affordability and city design. But Coonerty’s government experience, regional relationships and policy initiatives make him better equipped to tackle the city’s most pressing challenges. His proposals for public art, downtown revitalization and greater transparency offer a promising path forward.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: How we choose our 2026 election endorsements
What the Lookout Editorial Board looks for in candidates, how we evaluate them and why we believe endorsements matter.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Casey Clark and Nancy Bilicich for Watsonville City Council
Watsonville faces major challenges, from housing and aging infrastructure to flood protection and public safety. The Lookout Editorial Board endorses Casey Clark in District 5 for his pragmatic approach, city experience and relationships that will help him lead as mayor in 2027. In District 7, the editorial board backs former mayor Nancy Bilicich, whose government experience and work on Pajaro River flood protection are critical. Both candidates have worthy opponents, but offer the practical leadership Watsonville needs to turn good intentions into progress.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: California’s rules for public office need a second look – especially on school boards
California rightly does not treat every criminal conviction as a lifetime ban on public service. But the standards might need to be different when an elected position carries responsibility for children. The Pajaro Valley school board race has exposed gaps in both eligibility standards and candidate verification. Lookout’s editorial board believes AB 2691 should pass — and that lawmakers should keep working to get the balance right.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Coral Street toilet shortage a stark contrast to local pandemic response – why doesn’t public health matter more?
Portable toilets miles away aren’t enough to solve the loss of public bathrooms and showers on Coral Street in Santa Cruz, the Lookout Editorial Board writes. Our local leaders actively took on public health issues when they confronted COVID-19. Now, they must end the slow and bureaucratic response to the Coral Street crisis before we have a public health emergency.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Renee Golder for Santa Cruz City Council District 6
Local government works best when experience, relationships and institutional knowledge are already in place on Day 1. In the race for Santa Cruz City Council District 6, Renee Golder offers that readiness in a way that stands out, the Lookout Editorial Board writes in its endorsement.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Our June 2 endorsements
The Lookout Editorial Board writes endorsements because we believe a strong, trustworthy, independent and nonpartisan local news organization owes its community a stand-back, whole view of the candidates before us, based on extensive one-on-one interviews. And, on your behalf, we look for four factors in making our recommendations: voting and other decision-making records, experience, judgment and political skills – and how the candidacy meets the moment.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Scott Newsome for Santa Cruz City Council District 4
Santa Cruz City Council’s District 4 race offers voters a choice between two candidates who reflect different strengths – and different limitations. In the end, the Lookout Editorial Board gives a light endorsement to Scott Newsome over Hector Marin.
