Quick Take
In seeking reelection as county supervisor, Manu Koenig says he's more interested in outcomes we create together than beliefs about how to accomplish them.
Editor’s note: Lookout editors wanted to give you a chance to hear from candidates directly. But we also did not want them to simply repeat their campaign slogans. So we asked them a single question: “How will you provide the sort of leadership our community needs and how are you prepared to meet the moment as it arises?”
We gave them 500 words to answer. We hope their answers will provide one more outlet of information as you decide who to vote for on March 5.
Before becoming a county supervisor, I worked for four different tech startups, including one I co-founded. So at heart, I’m an entrepreneur. I’m used to looking for fast ways to test whether I’m right or wrong. I’m OK with finding out I’m wrong and shifting. I have no problem taking a solution invented elsewhere and refitting it. In short, I’m a leader who’s more interested in outcomes we create together than beliefs about how to accomplish them.
Politics is often the opposite. Politicians and parties rally around beliefs to win elections and outcomes are an afterthought. I suppose this makes me an unusual politician.
Good! Because it’s clear our deeply divided, antagonistic political culture is failing us. The lean toward fascism we’re seeing is terrifying. Let’s remember, the opposite of the radical right is not the radical left, it’s radical collaboration.
I lead through collaboration.
That’s why even though Supervisor Justin Cummings and I don’t agree on every issue, we’ve collaborated to declare tobacco waste a public health hazard and are working on a first-in-the-nation ordinance to eliminate cigarette butts. I’ve also collaborated with Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action to strengthen tenant protections and with our bus operators to chart a new course for Santa Cruz Metro. I hold regular town halls and office hours so that I have opportunities to collaborate with citizens.
I believe acknowledging failure and learning from mistakes is vital. I’ve done that with the Portola Drive pop-up, which took a four-lane road down to three lanes for a month to put in protected bike lanes. People hated it because they were getting stuck in traffic. The two stop signs at Portola and 41st and 38th avenues caused this. So I restored all the lanes and am prioritizing installing stoplights or roundabouts at those intersections.
Championing solutions created by others is another important skill. That’s why in response to complaints about long planning department wait times I found a Marin County example that lets applicants hire their own plan checker instead of using the county’s. In Marin, this program accounts for 30% of remodel permits issued. Now it’s available here.
Outcomes are pivotal to leadership. That’s what I’ve done with transportation and the mother of all controversies – the rail trail.
Yes, I’m skeptical a train will ever be built here. But, after the vote on Measure D in 2022, I supported moving forward with an environmental impact report and I am focused on delivering what the community wants: more transit.
At Santa Cruz Metro, I helped create a vision for fast and frequent service and won over $148 million in grants. Bus rides will be free by mid-2024 and we will have routes running across town every 15 minutes. I continue to advocate for a complete bus-on-shoulder facility on Highway 1; we need a dedicated, traffic-free, transit facility.
Our world is changing and we need nimble, creative and solution-oriented leaders
I have the background, experience and drive. If elected again, I will work hard, listen well and continue to find innovative solutions for you.
Manu Koenig’s campaign site is here.