County of Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors Supervisor Felipe Hernandez

Running for the second time for the 4th District seat—he came in third in the 2018 primary—Felipe Hernandez beat opponent Watsonville City Councilmember Jimmy Dutra in the November 2022 general election.

The son of parents who worked in Watsonville’s agricultural industry, Hernandez graduated from Watsonville High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He returned home to go to college and became a community organizer. In addition to serving on boards and commissions, Hernandez has been elected to the Watsonville City Council and the Cabrillo College Governing Board of Trustees. Among the issues he wants to address are the county’s “outdated transportation system” and the need for a sustainable economy and livable wages.

But housing and homelessness rank highest on the priority list. On his campaign site, Hernandez says, “I am proposing a special multi-agency task force bringing partners from the county health department, public works, and sheriff’s office to match an individual’s needs with available services, as well as ensuring we deploy cleanup and sanitation teams to camp locations once we successfully move an individual from the streets into applicable services.” 

Notable quote: “As Santa Cruz County Supervisor, I will make sure the Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project is completed; keep our community character by protecting agricultural lands and jobs; create more housing; and get us our fair share of county dollars for public safety, roads, healthcare, infrastructure and parks.” (Source: Good Times)