Santa Cruz’s South County is facing a moment when residents are asking for more than routine governance – they are asking for leadership that is present, prepared and accountable in a direct way. In this race for District 4 county supervisor, Tony Nuñez stands out to the Lookout Editorial Board as the candidate offering a clear break from business-as-usual politics and a stronger focus on engagement, responsiveness and long-term community vitality.
Election 2026: District 4 Santa Cruz County supervisor
Lookout news and Community Voices opinion coverage of the contest to represent District 4, covering much of the city of Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley, on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Una Lookout View: Tony Nuñez para supervisor del Distrito 4 del condado de Santa Cruz
El sur del condado de Santa Cruz está enfrentando un momento en el que los residentes están pidiendo más que una gestión rutinaria: están pidiendo un liderazgo presente, preparado y directamente responsable ante la comunidad. En esta contienda para supervisor del condado por el Distrito 4, Tony Nuñez se destaca para la Junta Editorial de Lookout como el candidato que ofrece una clara ruptura con la política tradicional y un enfoque más sólido en la participación comunitaria, la capacidad de respuesta y la vitalidad de la comunidad a largo plazo.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
District 4 County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez points to track record, experience in office as he makes bid for a second term
Current District 4 Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez spoke with Lookout about his first term, and responded to criticism from constituents over his stance on a battery storage facility proposed for outside Watsonville.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
El supervisor del condado del Distrito 4, Felipe Hernández, destaca su trayectoria y experiencia en el servicio público al buscar un segundo mandato
El actual supervisor del Distrito 4 del condado de Santa Cruz, Felipe Hernández, habló con Lookout sobre su primer mandato y respondió a las críticas de sus electores sobre su postura respecto a una propuesta de instalación de almacenamiento de baterías.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
A look at local candidates’ first pre-election campaign finance disclosures of 2026
Thursday was the deadline for candidates in the Santa Cruz mayoral and city council races as well as the District 4 county supervisor and superior court judge seats to file their first pre-election campaign finance disclosures of the election cycle. Here’s what they show.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Supervisor candidate Tony Nuñez says key to meeting community needs is to increase economic development in South County
District 4 Santa Cruz County supervisor candidate Tony Nuñez spoke with Lookout about his vision to increase economic development in South County and what inspired his bid for the supervisor seat.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Candidato para supervisor Tony Nuñez dice que la clave para satisfacer las necesidades de la comunidad es aumentar el desarrollo económico en el sur del condado
El candidato para supervisor del Distrito 4 del condado de Santa Cruz, Tony Nuñez, habló con Lookout sobre su visión para impulsar el desarrollo económico en el sur del condado y lo que lo motivó a postularse para el cargo.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘It’s not about us versus them’: Supervisor candidate Elias Gonzales wants to build long-lasting relationships to create change in South County
District 4 Santa Cruz County supervisor candidate Elias Gonzales spoke with Lookout about his campaign and how he’ll approach issues including affordability, immigration and battery storage.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘No se trate de nosotros contra ellos’: Candidato para supervisor del condado por el Distrito 4, Elias Gonzales, quiere construir relaciones duraderas con la comunidad para generar cambios en el sur del condado
El candidato a supervisor del condado por el Distrito 4, Elias Gonzales, habló con Lookout sobre su campaña y cómo abordará temas como la asequibilidad, la inmigración y el almacenamiento de baterías.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
District 4 county supervisor candidates make case to voters during Wednesday night forum
In a Lookout election forum Wednesday, candidates for the District 4 Santa Cruz County supervisor seat — incumbent Felipe Hernandez and challengers Tony Nuñez and Elias Gonzales — shared their visions to improve South County and their views on hot-button issues.
