The Lookout Editorial Board writes endorsements because we believe a strong, trustworthy, independent and nonpartisan local news organization owes its community a stand-back, whole view of the candidates and measures before us, based on extensive one-on-one interviews. And, on your behalf, we look for four factors in making our recommendations: voting and other decision-making records, experience, judgment and political skills – and how the candidacy (or measure) meets the moment.
Endorsements 2024
The views of the Lookout editorial boards on candidates and ballot measures in the 2024 election.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Yes on Capitola, Scotts Valley and school bond measures
Yes, tax bites do mount up, bit by bit. Yet, they are essential to keep local governments and our schools moving forward, meeting these anxious times. The Lookout Editorial Board supports both Capitola’s and Scotts Valley’s tax increases, and those of the six local districts seeking approval.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Trina Coffman-Gomez for Watsonville City Council – she brings experience and housing knowledge
The Lookout Editorial Board endorses Trina Coffman-Gomez for Watsonville City Council. She has already served two terms from 2012 to 2020 and understands the city and its needs. Her opponent, incumbent and former mayor Jimmy Dutra, is too mired in controversy over a recent civil trial to effectively serve. Dutra did not respond to Lookout’s requests for an editorial board meeting.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Yes on V – let’s add diversity and untapped community voices to Watsonville boards and commissions
The Lookout Editorial Board endorses Measure V, which would expand eligibility to serve on commissions and boards to all Watsonville residents, regardless of voting status. The board sees this as a vote for diversity, inclusion and part of the wave of the future for California cities and counties.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
A Lookout View: Yes on Z – let’s stand up for community health
Measure Z, the “sugary drink tax,” has raised high emotion and big money in the city of Santa Cruz and is a potential litmus test for the state’s 2018 Keep Groceries Affordable Act. The Lookout Editorial Board endorses a yes vote. We think it’s good for overall community health and for the city’s needy coffers.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Gerry Jensen and Melinda Orbach for Capitola City Council
The Lookout Editorial Board endorses Gerry Jensen and Melinda Orbach for Capitola City Council. Jensen’s proven commitment to the community and Orbach’s emphasis on resiliency and city services stand out among the four candidates for two open seats.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Krista Jett, John Lewis and Donna Lind for Scotts Valley City Council
The Lookout Editorial Board endorses Krista Jett, John Lewis and Donna Lind for Scotts Valley City Council. We think the city needs both experience and new ideas.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Kristen Brown for District 2 county supervisor
In the race for District 2 Santa Cruz County supervisor, the Lookout Editorial Board believes that both Kristen Brown and Kim De Serpa would serve well on the county board. However, like our voters, we are forced to make a choice. In this race, we favor Kristen Brown. We believe her experience with different levels of government, her discipline and ability to command facts and a room and her deep connections to the other supervisors and local politicians make her the slightly better choice.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Monica Martinez for District 5 county supervisor
Editor’s note: A Lookout View is the opinion of our Community Voices opinion section, written by our editorial board, which consists of Community Voices Editor Jody K. Biehl and Lookout Founder Ken Doctor. Our goal is to connect the dots we see in the news and offer a bigger-picture view — all intended to see Santa Cruz […]
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Vote yes on Measure Q and climate resilience
We believe in prevention and girding for resilience, the Lookout Editorial Board writes in urging a yes vote on Measure Q, the Santa Cruz County Water and Wildfire Protection Initiative. We trust the collective will of the local environmental organizations that have guided us for decades and our elected officials to try this experiment in community preparedness.