New precinct maps offer a fresh perspective on November’s election. From rent control support in Santa Cruz and Watsonville to shifting stances on theft penalties and Donald Trump’s rising popularity, these visuals uncover the geographic, political and social forces shaping Santa Cruz County’s electoral decisions.
Election 2024
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Why Trump won (and what the media missed along the way)
Boulder Creek businessman Tom Decker does the math on Donald Trump’s election win and has a ready answer for the Republican sweep – the mainstream media failed to grasp or adequately cover Trump’s appeal. They didn’t, he says, even report on the substance of his rallies.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Sugar tax passes: Why I’m not surprised
Measure Z, the sugary drink tax, which adds a tax of 2 cents per ounce on distributors of sugar-sweetened beverages in the city of Santa Cruz, has passed. Mike Rotkin, Lookout politics columnist, isn’t surprised, despite the $2 million the American Beverage Association spent against it. He writes that Santa Cruz is a community primed to fight.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
On the Campaign Trail: Turnout tops 81% in county’s final vote tally
With the final vote count certified on Dec. 3, Lookout’s On the Campaign Trail delivered Election 2024 results, reaction and analysis from across Santa Cruz County and beyond.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County general election 2024 in charts
Lookout charted all of the Santa Cruz County races in the 2024 general election.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
District 2 Santa Cruz County supervisor: Kim De Serpa defeats Kristen Brown
After Tuesday’s vote update, Kim De Serpa has won the District 2 Santa Cruz County supervisor seat narrowly over Kristen Brown, who conceded. De Serpa finished with a 722-vote lead over Brown, or 51% to 48%.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In San Lorenzo Valley water races, Measure U fails, Layng and Largay head to board of directors
Alina Layng and Bryan Largay won two open seats on the San Lorenzo Valley Water District. Measure U, the controversial ballot initiative crafted in part by board of directors candidate Bruce Holloway that proposed capping increases to flat rates on water utility customer bills, failed.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Jensen, Orbach win seats on Capitola City Council
With final results now in, Gerry Jensen and Melinda Orbach have won the race for two open Capitola City Council seats, with 34% and 29% of the vote, respectively.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Central, Scotts Valley fire district bond measures fail; fire district races conclude with narrow wins
Both Central Fire’s Measure R and Scotts Valley Fire District’s Measure S failed to reach the two-thirds of the vote required to pass. Zayante’s Measure T, a parcel tax, passed with 72%.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Martinez wins District 5 Santa Cruz County supervisor race
Monica Martinez has won her bid to be the next Santa Cruz County supervisor representing District 5, with a comfortable win over Christopher Bradford.