Immigration attorney Alisa Thomas has defeated criminal defense attorney Bryan Hackett in the race for an open seat on the Santa Cruz County Superior Court.
Election 2026
Coverage of local, statewide and national elections in 2026.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Coonerty, Chen Mills head to November run-off for Santa Cruz mayor
Ryan Coonerty and Ami Chen Mills will meet in a November run-off for Santa Cruz mayor.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
See which Santa Cruz County communities backed Becerra, Steyer and Hilton
Santa Cruz County’s gubernatorial primary results revealed a clear demographic divide: Tom Steyer performed best in whiter, more college-educated communities, while Xavier Becerra drew strong support from Latino-majority areas such as Watsonville, helping propel him into the November run-off against Republican Steve Hilton.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton will face off in California governor’s race
The race for California governor this fall will be a battle between a Democrat promising to cement the state’s status as a stronghold of liberal policies and a Republican pledging to dramatically reverse course in the nation’s most populous state.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California insurance commissioner race is set: Jane Kim vs. Ben Allen
Two Democrats will compete in November to regulate the insurance market amid increasing climate change risks and the aftermath of the 2025 Los Angeles fires.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Democrat Xavier Becerra advances to general election in race for California governor
Democrat Xavier Becerra advanced Friday to the general election for California governor after pitching himself as an experienced choice to lead the nation’s most populous state and succeed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. It was not yet clear whether his general election opponent will be Republican Steve Hilton or fellow Democrat Tom Steyer.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
The top-two primary was supposed to change California politics. Did it flop?
California voters approved a top-two primary election designed to encourage moderation. But in most races, it ends in a conventional Democrat-versus-Republican matchup. Some are ready to scrap the top two.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California’s slow ballot count makes it a target for critics; it doesn’t mean elections are rigged
Days after the state’s primary, California voters are in a familiar position – waiting to find out which candidates will go on to the general election in their most high-profile races. The state routinely takes days, or even weeks, to fully tally races.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Five things to know about California’s election, from Congress to the governor’s race
California’s wild and wide-open primary election came to a close Tuesday with voters consolidating behind leading candidates for their parties.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
District 4 Santa Cruz County supervisor: Tony Nuñez maintains early lead over incumbent Felipe Hernandez
Tony Nuñez takes the early lead in the District 4 Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors race over incumbent Felipe Hernandez and Elias Gonzales. The seat represents most of the Pajaro Valley, Watsonville and Interlaken.
