Election 2024

ELECTION CENTRAL

FINAL RESULTS

On the Campaign Trail: Turnout tops 81% in county’s final vote tally

On the Campaign Trail: Turnout tops 81% in county’s final vote tally

December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

LOCAL RACES

Measure Z, Santa Cruz’s mold-breaking soda tax, passes despite expensive attack from beverage industry

Measure Z, Santa Cruz’s mold-breaking soda tax, passes despite expensive attack from beverage industry

December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

Pajaro Valley Unified School District: Newcomers Turley, Medina and Carrasco win

Pajaro Valley Unified School District: Newcomers Turley, Medina and Carrasco win

December 3, 2024December 4, 2024

School district ballot measures: Most districts secure victories, Live Oak falls short

School district ballot measures: Most districts secure victories, Live Oak falls short

December 3, 2024May 6, 2025

COUNTY SUPERVISOR

BALLOT MEASURES

Rent control passed in Santa Cruz and Watsonville in November, and other election map stories

Rent control passed in Santa Cruz and Watsonville in November, and other election map stories

by Christopher Neely and Hailey Wang January 6, 2025January 6, 2025

Santa Cruz County general election 2024 in charts

Santa Cruz County general election 2024 in charts

by Max Chun December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

District 2 Santa Cruz County supervisor: Kim De Serpa defeats Kristen Brown

District 2 Santa Cruz County supervisor: Kim De Serpa defeats Kristen Brown

by Wallace Baine December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

In San Lorenzo Valley water races, Measure U fails, Layng and Largay head to board of directors

In San Lorenzo Valley water races, Measure U fails, Layng and Largay head to board of directors

by Christopher Neely December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

Many expect big things in Zach Friend’s post-Santa Cruz County supervisor act. Where will he go?

Many expect big things in Zach Friend’s post-Santa Cruz County supervisor act. Where will he go?

by Christopher Neely January 2, 2025January 2, 2025

Jensen, Orbach win seats on Capitola City Council

Jensen, Orbach win seats on Capitola City Council

by Wallace Baine December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

Central, Scotts Valley fire district bond measures fail; fire district races conclude with narrow wins

Central, Scotts Valley fire district bond measures fail; fire district races conclude with narrow wins

by Max Chun December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

Martinez wins District 5 Santa Cruz County supervisor race

Martinez wins District 5 Santa Cruz County supervisor race

by Christopher Neely December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

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County Supervisor District 2

Many expect big things in Zach Friend’s post-Santa Cruz County supervisor act. Where will he go?

Many expect big things in Zach Friend’s post-Santa Cruz County supervisor act. Where will he go?

by Christopher Neely January 2, 2025January 2, 2025

District 2 Santa Cruz County supervisor: Kim De Serpa defeats Kristen Brown

District 2 Santa Cruz County supervisor: Kim De Serpa defeats Kristen Brown

by Wallace Baine December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

De Serpa, Martinez widen money advantage in supervisor races

De Serpa, Martinez widen money advantage in supervisor races

by Lookout Santa Cruz October 25, 2024October 25, 2024

City council, county supervisor candidates discuss roads and homelessness at Watsonville forum

City council, county supervisor candidates discuss roads and homelessness at Watsonville forum

by Tania Ortiz October 22, 2024October 22, 2024

A Lookout View: Kristen Brown for District 2 county supervisor

A Lookout View: Kristen Brown for District 2 county supervisor

by Lookout Editorial Board October 22, 2024October 22, 2024

Letter to the editor: Kim De Serpa is the hardest-working person I know

by Letter to the Editor October 8, 2024October 8, 2024

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County Supervisor District 5

The Shapers: Bruce McPherson’s retirement means the end of a remarkable career and a 160-year family legacy

The Shapers: Bruce McPherson’s retirement means the end of a remarkable career and a 160-year family legacy

by Wallace Baine December 29, 2024

Martinez wins District 5 Santa Cruz County supervisor race

Martinez wins District 5 Santa Cruz County supervisor race

by Christopher Neely December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

De Serpa, Martinez widen money advantage in supervisor races

De Serpa, Martinez widen money advantage in supervisor races

by Lookout Santa Cruz October 25, 2024October 25, 2024

A Lookout View: Monica Martinez for District 5 county supervisor

A Lookout View: Monica Martinez for District 5 county supervisor

by Lookout Editorial Board October 22, 2024October 22, 2024

Letter to the editor: Christopher Bradford is the only person in politics I trust

by Letter to the Editor October 8, 2024October 8, 2024

Letter to the editor: Monica Martinez has the skills to serve District 5 residents

by Letter to the Editor October 8, 2024October 8, 2024

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Capitola City Council

Jensen, Orbach win seats on Capitola City Council

Jensen, Orbach win seats on Capitola City Council

by Wallace Baine December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

A Lookout View: Gerry Jensen and Melinda Orbach for Capitola City Council

A Lookout View: Gerry Jensen and Melinda Orbach for Capitola City Council

by Lookout Editorial Board October 23, 2024October 23, 2024

Under the specter of housing growth and coastal resilience, four candidates face off for Capitola City Council

Under the specter of housing growth and coastal resilience, four candidates face off for Capitola City Council

by Christopher Neely October 2, 2024October 2, 2024

Coke, Pepsi and Red Bull spend big to defeat Santa Cruz’s soda tax

Coke, Pepsi and Red Bull spend big to defeat Santa Cruz’s soda tax

by Christopher Neely and Max Chun September 26, 2024September 27, 2024

Letter to the editor: Gerry Jensen is a strong leader for Capitola City Council

by Letter to the Editor September 16, 2024September 16, 2024

Letter to the editor: Join us in voting for Gerry Jensen for Capitola City Council

by Letter to the Editor September 9, 2024September 9, 2024

Scotts Valley City Council

Scotts Valley City Council: Lind, Clark and Jett win

Scotts Valley City Council: Lind, Clark and Jett win

by Hillary Ojeda December 3, 2024December 4, 2024

A Lookout View: Krista Jett, John Lewis and Donna Lind for Scotts Valley City Council

A Lookout View: Krista Jett, John Lewis and Donna Lind for Scotts Valley City Council

by Lookout Editorial Board October 23, 2024November 5, 2024

As longtime leaders retire, crowded Scotts Valley City Council race focuses on housing, Town Center project

As longtime leaders retire, crowded Scotts Valley City Council race focuses on housing, Town Center project

by Christopher Neely October 1, 2024December 4, 2024

Coke, Pepsi and Red Bull spend big to defeat Santa Cruz’s soda tax

Coke, Pepsi and Red Bull spend big to defeat Santa Cruz’s soda tax

by Christopher Neely and Max Chun September 26, 2024September 27, 2024

Watsonville City Council

Jimmy Dutra secures another term in Watsonville City Council, defeating Coffman-Gomez

Jimmy Dutra secures another term in Watsonville City Council, defeating Coffman-Gomez

by Tania Ortiz December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

A Lookout View: Trina Coffman-Gomez for Watsonville City Council – she brings experience and housing knowledge

A Lookout View: Trina Coffman-Gomez for Watsonville City Council – she brings experience and housing knowledge

by Lookout Editorial Board October 25, 2024January 6, 2025

City council, county supervisor candidates discuss roads and homelessness at Watsonville forum

City council, county supervisor candidates discuss roads and homelessness at Watsonville forum

by Tania Ortiz October 22, 2024October 22, 2024

Fresh off court case, Dutra faces ex-member Coffman-Gomez for Watsonville City Council seat

Fresh off court case, Dutra faces ex-member Coffman-Gomez for Watsonville City Council seat

by Tania Ortiz October 4, 2024October 4, 2024

Coke, Pepsi and Red Bull spend big to defeat Santa Cruz’s soda tax

Coke, Pepsi and Red Bull spend big to defeat Santa Cruz’s soda tax

by Christopher Neely and Max Chun September 26, 2024September 27, 2024

For Jimmy Dutra, reelection bid and a civil sex-abuse trial coincide

For Jimmy Dutra, reelection bid and a civil sex-abuse trial coincide

by Max Chun September 3, 2024September 10, 2024

Local Ballot Measures

Sugar tax passes: Why I’m not surprised

Sugar tax passes: Why I’m not surprised

by Mike Rotkin December 6, 2024June 18, 2025

In San Lorenzo Valley water races, Measure U fails, Layng and Largay head to board of directors

In San Lorenzo Valley water races, Measure U fails, Layng and Largay head to board of directors

by Christopher Neely December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

Central, Scotts Valley fire district bond measures fail; fire district races conclude with narrow wins

Central, Scotts Valley fire district bond measures fail; fire district races conclude with narrow wins

by Max Chun December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

Measure X: Scotts Valley business tax passes with strong support

Measure X: Scotts Valley business tax passes with strong support

by Max Chun December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

Measure Y: Capitola sales tax increase passes with over two-thirds support

Measure Y: Capitola sales tax increase passes with over two-thirds support

by Max Chun December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

Measure Q, climate resilience bond, passes with over 60% of vote

Measure Q, climate resilience bond, passes with over 60% of vote

by Max Chun December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

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Campaign Finance

De Serpa, Martinez widen money advantage in supervisor races

De Serpa, Martinez widen money advantage in supervisor races

by Lookout Santa Cruz October 25, 2024October 25, 2024

Soda industry has spent more than $1.2 million to defeat Santa Cruz sugary drink tax

Soda industry has spent more than $1.2 million to defeat Santa Cruz sugary drink tax

by Lookout Santa Cruz October 25, 2024October 29, 2024

Coke, Pepsi and Red Bull spend big to defeat Santa Cruz’s soda tax

Coke, Pepsi and Red Bull spend big to defeat Santa Cruz’s soda tax

by Christopher Neely and Max Chun September 26, 2024September 27, 2024

Deep-blue California is a piggy bank for Kamala Harris — and Donald Trump. How they’re trying to cash in

Deep-blue California is a piggy bank for Kamala Harris — and Donald Trump. How they’re trying to cash in

by Yue Stella Yu / CalMatters July 26, 2024August 7, 2024

Labor’s big blitz leads third-party spending in Santa Cruz County races

Labor’s big blitz leads third-party spending in Santa Cruz County races

by Christopher Neely March 1, 2024March 3, 2024

Where is the money coming from in Santa Cruz County supervisor races?

Where is the money coming from in Santa Cruz County supervisor races?

by Christopher Neely March 1, 2024March 3, 2024

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2024 Election Op-Eds

Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here.

Why Trump won (and what the media missed along the way)

by Tom Decker December 12, 2024

Sugar tax passes: Why I’m not surprised

Sugar tax passes: Why I’m not surprised

by Mike Rotkin December 6, 2024June 18, 2025

I’ve been elected to public office eight times – here are my top tips for new elected officials

I’ve been elected to public office eight times – here are my top tips for new elected officials

by John Laird November 7, 2024

A Lookout View: Our Nov. 5 endorsements

A Lookout View: Our Nov. 5 endorsements

by Lookout Editorial Board November 2, 2024November 2, 2024

Yes on U: San Lorenzo Valley needs lower fixed charges and higher charges for actual water use

Yes on U: San Lorenzo Valley needs lower fixed charges and higher charges for actual water use

by Bruce Holloway November 1, 2024

More than a little too sweet: Vote yes on Measure Z

More than a little too sweet: Vote yes on Measure Z

by Mike Rotkin October 31, 2024June 18, 2025

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StateWatch: Election 2024

It’s hard to vote in California when you’re homeless. Why it matters when their voices are silenced

It’s hard to vote in California when you’re homeless. Why it matters when their voices are silenced

by Marisa Kendall / CalMatters and Yue Stella Yu / CalMatters October 31, 2024October 31, 2024

Can a $10 billion climate bond address California’s water contamination problem?

Can a $10 billion climate bond address California’s water contamination problem?

by Vanessa G. Sánchez / KFF Health News October 31, 2024October 31, 2024

No one is fighting a proposition to ban forced labor in California prisons. Why it could still fail

No one is fighting a proposition to ban forced labor in California prisons. Why it could still fail

by Joe Garcia / CalMatters October 17, 2024October 17, 2024

California ballot measure promises ‘mass treatment’ for drug crimes. Can counties provide it?

California ballot measure promises ‘mass treatment’ for drug crimes. Can counties provide it?

by Cayla Mihalovich / CalMatters October 16, 2024October 16, 2024

Lookout Forums

Roads, rail trail, managed retreat emerge as flashpoints as District 2 hopefuls Brown, De Serpa spar at forum

Roads, rail trail, managed retreat emerge as flashpoints as District 2 hopefuls Brown, De Serpa spar at forum

by Max Chun September 24, 2024September 24, 2024

Despite different backgrounds, Monica Martinez and Christopher Bradford aim to ‘fight the status quo’ in District 5

Despite different backgrounds, Monica Martinez and Christopher Bradford aim to ‘fight the status quo’ in District 5

by Max Chun September 19, 2024September 24, 2024