Despite a long career exclusively in the private sector, Boulder Creek resident Christopher Bradford is running an underdog campaign for District 5 Santa Cruz County supervisor. After he and his family lost their home in the 2020 CZU fires, Bradford’s experience with intransigent county bureaucracy convinced him he needed to lend his talents to making government work better for his neighbors.
Election 2024
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘We’re only here for a moment’: The urgency behind Monica Martinez’s bid for Santa Cruz County supervisor
Encompass CEO Monica Martinez finds herself on the final leg of a head-to-head race to replace outgoing, three-term District 5 county supervisor Bruce McPherson and represent a large swath of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the communities along the Highway 9 corridor. Juggling her role as an executive, candidate and mother, Martinez said she feels a sense of urgency to bring a cultural shift in county politics and what people come to expect from their supervisors.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Project 2025 to California: Report abortion data or lose billions in Medicaid
If Republican Donald Trump wins another term as president and implements Project 2025, California will face an ultimatum: report sensitive abortion data to the CDC or jeopardize Medicaid funding.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘Steam engine’ or cautionary tale? Experts weigh in on AI role in California elections
At its 50th anniversary event, the state’s campaign finance watchdog looked to the future with a discussion on artificial intelligence. On Wednesday, Attorney General Rob Bonta warned AI companies about state laws against voter deception.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘Millions’ expected to pour into campaigns over Santa Cruz’s sugary drink tax
The battle of Measure Z, Santa Cruz’s proposed tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, is cooking up to be an expensive one with interests as big as the Coca-Cola Co. pouring money into stopping it. And if they can’t get Santa Cruz voters to defeat the tax in November, corporate opponents are expected to challenge the measure in court.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Letter to the editor: Join us in voting for Gerry Jensen for Capitola City Council
In a letter to the editor, a pair of Capitola residents outline why they’re supporting city council candidate Gerry Jensen.
Posted inLatest News
For Jimmy Dutra, reelection bid and a civil sex-abuse trial coincide
A civil case alleging sexual abuse by Watsonville City Councilmember Jimmy Dutra, who is running for reelection this fall, is finally moving forward nearly two years after the complaint was first filed. Jury selection will continue through Wednesday and trial proceedings are expected to begin next week.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County Democrats endorse Kristen Brown
The Santa Cruz County Democratic Central Committee has endorsed Kristen Brown for District 2 county supervisor over her opponent, Kim De Serpa. The committee is also endorsing a “yes” vote on Measure Z (Santa Cruz’s 2-cent-per-ounce tax on the sale of sugar-sweetened drinks), Measure Y (Capitola’s sales tax rate increase to 9.25%) and Watsonville’s proposed charter amendments, which include removing a citizenship requirement to serve on the city’s boards and commissions. The committee is recommending a “no” vote on Measure U, a San Lorenzo Valley Water District proposal that would cap regular service charge increases to 2% per year until 2049.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Labor union council backs Santa Cruz County’s Measure Q
The Monterey Bay Central Labor Council is endorsing a “yes” vote on Santa Cruz County’s Measure Q, which would fund projects focused on building resilience to wildfires and other natural disasters through a special tax of $87 on each parcel of land located within the county (with some exceptions).
Posted inEducation
Santa Cruz County school districts will ask voters to borrow millions for repairs, workforce housing
On this November’s ballot, five school bond measures, totaling $525 million, propose making infrastructure repairs to roofs and athletic fields, modernizing classrooms, and in some cases, building rental apartments for staff and teachers. District leaders talked to Lookout about some of the major projects the bond measures, if approved, would fund.