Election Op-Eds

Dawn Addis says her dislike of former President Donald Trump’s policies and hate-filled political rhetoric inspired her to run for city council in Morro Bay in 2017. A teacher and mom, she is the endorsed Democratic candidate for Assembly District 30. She says she earned the endorsement through grassroots organizing, listening to the needs of local communities, and sharing her record of coalition-building and effective policy choices.

John Drake is 21 and writes that he’s “sick of” seeing people die on the streets for lack of housing and services. He’s an affordable-housing advocate who has known homelessness and poverty, and helped a family member overcome addiction. He insists our legislators must do better.

Jon Wizard says he knows Santa Cruz and our issues better than any other candidate. A former firefighter and public safety officer and a council member in Seaside since 2018, Wizard says he understands the Central Coast and is a champion for affordable housing.

Sacramento needs fixing. Republican Vicki Nohrden argues she is the one to do it. A businesswoman and nonprofit director, she wants to create a more competitive, business-friendly environment in California by reducing taxes and bureaucracy. Less red tape, she argues, will also allow us to build more affordable housing and help solve water and climate change issues.

Zoë Carter is not interested in empty promises, she writes. She likes straight talk and honest work. As director of operations for the Monterey County Business Council, she helped small businesses and major industries navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and now says she is ready for statewide office. She also focuses on homelessness, health care and energy as prime concerns.

Felipe Hernandez, an Iraq War veteran and the son of an apple picker, says he has the experience and temperament to represent Watsonville and fight for the city’s interests. He cites his multiple endorsements and record of success as reasons voters should choose him for the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.

Jimmy Dutra says the Pajaro Valley has been overlooked for too long. It’s time for a strong, community-centered voice on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, he writes. He argues that his experience and success as mayor of Watsonville and his connection to the community make him the right candidate.

Ed Acosta began working in Watsonville agriculture as a teen, when he worked in the strawberry fields. He continues to work in agriculture and writes that he has strong ideas on job creation and workforce maintenance and protection. He is not a career politician, but calls himself a man of action and argues that he’s the best choice for District 4.