Santa Cruz County Elections & Politics Digest

Federal law enforcement and cybersecurity officials are warning the nation’s state election administrators that they face serious threats ahead of November’s presidential election.

Members of the board gathered to put forward a resolution that takes responsibility for the history of discrimination against Black San Franciscans.

Campaign finance disclosure statements show that real estate developers and contractors made the largest contributors to the campaign opposing Measure M while Measure M received support from Santa Cruz residents.

When and if California legalizes sports gambling, the policy should honor the laws established in partnership with tribes decades ago, says Assemblyman James Ramos.

Immigration enforcement lowers students’ ability to succeed academically and negatively affects their overall learning experience.

A suite of five bills introduced this weeks seeks to protect election integrity from bad actors using AI, especially on social media.

Companies and organizations spent more than $480 million on lobbyists who sought to influence the Legislature, the governor’s office and state agencies.

The new top Democrat in the state Senate announces his leadership team and new committee chairpersons. He rewarded some allies, and filled five of seven leadership posts with women or legislators of color.

The funds would help California ports expand to handle giant wind turbines and other equipment. California’s first offshore wind farms are on a fast track off Humboldt County and Morro Bay.

Here’s where they stand on the economy, crime and the border.

California Republican Rep. Tom McClintock bucked his party to vote against impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

California voters this spring are considering a $6.4 billion bond to house people with serious mental health conditions. A similar 2018 ballot measure offers lessons about the obstacles that stand in the way of construction.

There are different rules for the presidential contest and state races on the March 5 ballot. And each party has its own rules.

Sen. Mike McGuire of Healdsburg takes over as Democratic leader in the state Senate from Sen. Toni Atkins. He terms out in 2026, so has limited time to push his agenda.

Capitola Mayor Kristen Brown muses about the 75th anniversary of the city’s incorporation as a time to reflect on history while considering the opportunities that lie ahead.

A sweeping change to California elections took a step forward. The proposed constitutional amendment aims to allow the lieutenant governor to be installed if a governor is recalled.

Lawmakers introduced a package of bills designed to tackle some forms of reparations. The measures may face budget constraints and opposition.

The California Legislative Black Caucus released a list of 14 bills as a first set of reparations for the descendants of African Americans who were enslaved.

Here is your guide to the 2024 California primary election.

Gov. Gavin Newsom crafted the measure to reform California’s mental health system, including a $6.4-billion bond for new facilities.

Faced with a huge budget deficit, legislators are on warning not to expect bills with a high price tag to pass. But that’s not always the goal of introducing bills.

Dave Tannaci of the Santa Cruz Water Department is running for the Santa Cruz City Council’s District 1 seat against Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County Executive Director Gabriela Trigueiro.

A bill would let state legislators, who say they fear for their safety, shield their property holdings from disclosure forms. But critics say that could conceal potential conflicts of interest.

Rates of routine childhood vaccination hit a 10-year low in 2023. That, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, puts about 250,000 kindergartners at risk for measles.

Gabriela Trigueiro, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County, is competing for the Santa Cruz City Council’s District 1 seat against Dave Tannaci of the Santa Cruz Water Department.

Susie O’Hara, who has served on various local boards and commissions, is running against UC Santa Cruz student Joe Thompson in the race for the Santa Cruz City Council’s 5th District seat.

Though Aptos resident Anthony, or “Tony,” Crane will be in the 2nd District race, the one hopeful in particular he aims to beat is running in a different district.

The four leading U.S. Senate contenders in California tried to use 90 minutes of free air time to solidify their pitches to voters—and also to set themselves apart from their opponents.

Five candidates are running for the 18th Congressional District, which consists of San Benito County and parts of Santa Clara, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. Members of Congress serve a two-year term.

The message, laced with expletives, referred to a council-majority vote to pass a watered-down resolution calling for peace in the Middle East.

David Schwartz of Corralitos, Kristen Brown of Capitola, and Aptos’ Kim De Serpa, Bruce Jaffe, and Tony Crane have all thrown their hat into the race for the Second District seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.

More than two years until the first votes are cast, Senate leader Toni Atkins becomes the fourth big-name Democrat to jump into the governor’s race. She is seeking to become the first female and openly gay chief executive.