Santa Cruz County Local Elections & Politics News Articles and Digest

Public Safety Elections & Politics Government

Protesters Expected Outside of Biden LA Fundraiser

12/08/2023
A large gathering of protesters sympathetic to the plight of the Palestinian people is expected outside a fundraiser Dec. 8 in Westwood for President Biden. Police have warned that any violence won’t be tolerated.

From Los Angeles Times...

Elections & Politics Crime & Justice Government

Hunter Biden Indicted in LA on Tax Charges

12/07/2023
Hunter Biden, a Malibu resident, is facing nine tax-related charges between the years of 2016 and 2019. It is the second criminal indictment for the son of President Biden, aside from a pending firearms case.

From Sacramento Bee...

Transportation Elections & Politics Government

DMV Shift Appears to Spur Drop in ‘No Party Preference’ Voter Sign-Ups

12/04/2023
The California Department of Motor Vehicles changed its voter registration process in 2019 to put a party selection dropdown on the same page. Since then, the number of people registering as Republicans or Democrats has jumped close to 20 points.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Elections & Politics Government

New Assembly Labor Committee Chair Faces Ongoing Worker Unrest, but Scores Some Wins

12/04/2023
With nine months’ experience in the Assembly, Liz Ortega will lead the Labor committee after a strike-filled summer and several wins for low-wage workers.

From Santa Cruz Local...

Elections & Politics County of Santa Cruz

Aptos, South County Voters Rank Transportation and Housing as Top Concerns

12/01/2023
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An informal survey of voters in Santa Cruz County Supervisor District 2 showed road conditions, traffic and housing as key issues that residents want candidates to address.

From Press Banner...

Elections & Politics

Congressman Panetta Highlights Key Priorities for District 19

12/01/2023
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Congressman Jimmy Panetta talked with Henry W. Kim, a BSA Scout from Scotts Valley Troop 614, focusing on the importance of involving young people in community affairs.

From Sacramento Bee...

Elections & Politics Government

California Congressional Reps Overwhelmingly Vote to Expel Santos

12/01/2023
Forty-eight of California’s 52 members of the House of Representatives voted in favor of expelling George Santos. Of the other four members, all Republicans, Kevin McCarthy didn’t vote while three opposed Santos’ expulsion.

From Santa Cruz Local...

Health Elections & Politics

Bond Measure on March Ballot Would Benefit Watsonville Hospital

11/30/2023
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Pajaro Valley Health Care District on Wednesday night agreed to put a $116 million bond measure on the March 5 ballot to buy the buildings and land at Watsonville Community Hospital.

From Los Angeles Times...

Elections & Politics Government

Newsom-DeSantis Debate Could Benefit Each Man

11/30/2023
The Nov. 30 debate between governors Gavin Newsom and Ron DeSantis could be a win-win for both. DeSantis’s flagging presidential campaign could get a boost, while Newsom could increase his standing in Democratic circles.

From Santa Cruz Local...

Business, Economy & Jobs Elections & Politics City of Santa Cruz

Sales Tax Hike Returns to Santa Cruz Ballot

11/29/2023
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Less than two years after Santa Cruz city residents voted down a proposed sales tax hike, the city council on Tuesday agreed to place a similar measure on the March 2024 ballot.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Elections & Politics History Government

California vs. Florida: Need-to-Know Facts About the Rival States Ahead of Newsom-DeSantis Showdown

11/28/2023
Political wonks in California, Florida and maybe a few states in between, will be glued to their screens Thursday night to watch Gov. Gavin Newsom and Gov. Ron Desantis square off in a highly-anticipated Blue vs. Red State debate that’s been brewing since the summer.

From Sacramento Bee...

Elections & Politics

Congressman’s Central Valley Office Gets Vandalized

11/27/2023
Rep. David Valadao, a Republican, had his district office in Hanford vandalized. Fliers were plastered on the doors of his office with pictures of children and the words “Murdered by Israel.”

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Health Elections & Politics

Pajaro Valley Health Care District to Consider Bond Measure for Watsonville Hospital

11/27/2023
Tesidents of the Pajaro Valley may face one more decision on their March primary ballots: whether or not to approve about $105 million for projects at Watsonville Community Hospital.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Business, Economy & Jobs Elections & Politics City of Capitola

Capitola to Poll Residents on Potential Revenue Measures

11/24/2023
With the help of polling professionals, Capitola leaders are ready to see how much of an appetite local residents have for a pair of potential revenue measures that could appear on next year’s ballot.

From Good Times...

Elections & Politics County of Santa Cruz

Second District Candidates

11/22/2023
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Six people intend to run for the Second District seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. Previous stories covered Kim De Serpa, Kristen Brown, Doug Dietch and Tony Crane. Now Good Times looks at David Schwartz and Bruce Jaffe.

From The Mercury News...

Elections & Politics

Eshoo to Not Seek Reelection

11/21/2023
Rep. Anna Eshoo, who has served in Congress more than 30 years and represents Silicon Valley, announced that she will not seek reelection and is retiring. Eshoo, a Democrat who turns 81 on Dec. 13, said in a video that her heart is filled with gratitude.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Water Elections & Politics

SLV Water Leadership Allege Adverse Behavior From Board Member

11/20/2023
The San Lorenzo Valley Water District has been reckoning with the departures of two longtime senior staffers. Director of Finance Kendra Reed and District Manager/General Manager Rick Rogers both moved on from their roles due, in part, to interactions with Bob Fultz, a board member since 2018.

From Sacramento Bee...

Elections & Politics

Schwarzenegger Rules Out U.S. Senate Bid, Talks California

11/20/2023
Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger met Nov. 17 with Sacramento press corps members. He ruled out a U.S. Senate bid, saying the only thing he was interested in running for was president, while acknowledging he can’t do this because he was born in Austria.

From Pleasanton Weekly...

Education Elections & Politics

School Board Members Who Banned Pride Flag Face Recall Campaign

11/19/2023
Two members of the Sunol Glen Unified School District board have been served with recall notices. This came after the board approved a resolution that banned schools in the Alameda County district from flying the LGBTQ+ pride flag.

From Santa Cruz Local...

Elections & Politics County of Santa Cruz

Live Oak, Soquel Voters Rank Housing as Top Concern

11/17/2023
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To understand residents’ priorities for the March 5 election for District 1 supervisor, Santa Cruz Local interviewed residents in the district and compiled results from an online survey.

Santa Cruz County Local News: Elections & Politics