A televised debate among six leading candidates for California governor Wednesday underscored sharp partisan divides on issues from homelessness to taxes, while the Democrats sought to distinguish themselves from each other in a chaotic race with no clear leader.
Election 2026
Coverage of local, statewide and national elections in 2026.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
A plan to cut a California tax is going to voters. Why L.A.’s ‘mansion tax’ is at the center of it
A measure to roll back two kinds of taxes is slated to go before voters in November. The measure would affect cities and taxpayers across the state, but Los Angeles and its controversial “mansion tax” is the prime target.
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.
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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.
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‘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
Joy Schendledecker, embarking on second mayoral campaign, wants voters to have robust choices at the ballot
Joy Schendledecker, having run for Santa Cruz mayor and city council in 2022 and 2024, respectively, says that the issues keep bringing her back to electoral politics. She wants voters to have a choice of candidates with diverse opinions when they cast their ballots.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Defense and immigration attorneys vying for Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge seat
Immigration attorney Alisa Thomas and criminal defense attorney Bryan Hackett are competing for an open Santa Cruz County Superior Court judgeship in the June election. The candidates share a commitment to impartiality but differ in professional experience and their views on diversion.
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
Lagging in polls and fundraising, Betty Yee drops out of California governor’s race
Progressive former state controller Betty Yee said Monday that she is dropping out of the race to succeed Gavin Newsom amid faltering polling and poor fundraising.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Scott Newsome, seeking second term, points to successes in housing construction, passing Measure C, preserving affordability
Scott Newsome’s Santa Cruz City Council district, District 4, has seen much change over the past four years, with many new housing developments beginning and finishing construction. It’s also faced adversity, particularly the partial collapse of the wharf. But he says his successes in helping downtown residents preserve affordability and his role in passing Measure C show he’s fit for a second term.