In the wake of Donald Trump’s victory Tuesday, a broad coalition of public and private sector leaders, including county officials, law enforcement, health care leaders and educators, is pledging to protect Santa Cruz County’s immigrants. In Watsonville, nonprofit organizations are beginning to navigate the potential impacts a second Trump presidency could have on the city’s large undocumented population and how they’ll reassure the community the next four years.
Election 2024
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
I’ve been elected to public office eight times – here are my top tips for new elected officials
State Sen. John Laird – who has spent four decades in politics, starting with his first term on the Santa Cruz City Council in 1982 – offers his advice to those just elected. His rules offer insight into the political process as we sort through the Election Day aftermath.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Initial tallies bring some surprises across Santa Cruz County’s elections
A rundown of what we know so far about how races across the county are shaping up. Tens of thousands of ballots remain to be counted, but drama has begun for incumbent city councilmembers in Watsonville and Capitola, while Santa Cruz’s soda tax holds narrow support and the race for District 2 county supervisor remains a toss-up.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Return of the Resistance State: What another Trump presidency will mean for California
Expect four more years of combative showdowns between California’s Democratic leadership and a second Trump White House.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Adam Schiff easily wins U.S. Senate seat in deep-blue California
The Burbank Democrat will take the U.S. Senate seat held by Dianne Feinstein for 30 years. No Republican has won statewide in California since 2006, and Steve Garvey didn’t break that losing streak.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Mood swings across party lines for Santa Cruz County voters
From confident Trump supporters to anxious Democrats and those serving many undocumented Santa Cruz County residents at Watsonville Community Hospital, Election Day brought a mix of emotions around the county.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County replaces ballots that left off fire district bond
Santa Cruz County has sent out new ballots to 284 registered voters in the Central Fire District after inadvertently leaving off Measure R, which would authorize $221 million in bonds for modernizing and replacing fire stations.
Posted inLatest News
What happens to mail-in ballots? Santa Cruz County clerk explains
What happens to your ballot after it’s mailed in or left in a drop box? Lookout’s Kevin Painchaud caught up with Santa Cruz County Clerk Tricia Webber for a behind-the-scenes look at how ballots will be processed and counted in the coming days.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California’s path hinges on the presidential race: ‘No state has more to lose or gain’
State officials, business leaders and immigrant advocates are all preparing for whoever wins the presidential election. California’s response will be very different, depending on whether it’s Kamala Harris or Donald Trump.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
These California toss-ups may decide which party controls Congress
Closely contested congressional races in California could tip the balance on whether Democrats can retake control of the U.S. House. This year, it’s Republicans on defense.