Santa Cruz County Local Elections & Politics News Articles and Digest

Elections & Politics Crime & Justice

Santa Cruz Judges Face No Opposition in Primary

11/13/2023
No contenders have filed to run against four sitting judges whose terms expire in 2024. The incumbents are Syda Cogliati, Jordan Sheinbaum, Katherine Hansen, and Leila Sayar—three of whom were appointed to their current terms.

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Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Elections & Politics Government

Led by Oil Companies, Lobbyists Flood State Govt With Cash

11/09/2023
Image for display with article titled Oil Companies are Biggest Spenders in Huge Year for Corporate Lobbyists in California

With year still not over, 2023 sees $358 million flooding Sacramento from all lobbyists.

From Good Times...

Elections & Politics History

A Quest for Justice

11/08/2023
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Glenn Schaller, whose grassroots work touched nearly every aspect of local progressive politics for the past four decades throughout California, died Oct. 30 in his Santa Cruz home.

From Sacramento Bee...

Elections & Politics

Biden Still Far Ahead of Trump in California, But the Margin Is Closer

11/08/2023
Joe Biden beat Donald Trump by nearly 30 points in California in the 2020 U.S. presidential race. A recent poll shows Biden now has just a 15-point lead in the Golden State over Trump, which might hint at a close national race next year.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Elections & Politics Scotts Valley Fire District

Outcome of Scotts Valley Fire Bond Measure Uncertain

11/08/2023
With a razor-thin deficit, Scotts Valley Fire Protection District’s bond measure remained in limbo after preliminary election results were tallied.

From Lookout Local...

Elections & Politics County of Santa Cruz County of Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors Encompass

Sheriff Jim Hart Makes Decision on District 5 County Supervisor Race

11/07/2023
Those watching the race to replace retiring Supervisor Bruce McPherson wondered whether Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart would run. Instead, Hart has endorsed Monica Martinez, giving the nonprofit CEO a leg up over fellow candidates Christopher Bradford and Theresa Bond.

From Santa Cruz Local...

Elections & Politics Scotts Valley Fire District

Ballots Due Nov. 7 for Scotts Valley Bond Measure

11/06/2023
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Santa Cruz Local newsletter briefs for the week of Nov. 5:

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Health Homelessness Elections & Politics Crisis & Personal Support Government

Newsom Taking New Approach to California’s 10,000 Homeless Veterans

11/05/2023
California’s population of homeless veterans has plateaued despite billions of dollars in state spending to create housing for former service members. Now, Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to shift resources to focus on veterans with serious mental health conditions.

From Los Angeles Times...

Elections & Politics

Schiff Gets Endorsement From CA Assembly Speaker in U.S. Senate Race

11/02/2023
California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas has endorsed Rep. Adam Schiff in a crowded U.S. Senate race. Other candidates include representatives Barbara Lee and Katie Porter.

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Elections & Politics Government

Where California Senate Candidates Get Their Campaign Cash

11/01/2023
Image for display with article titled California's Leading U.S. Senate Candidates: Here's Where They Get Their Campaign Cash

The top three candidates rely primarily on contributions from within California, and very little on PACs.

From The Mercury News...

Elections & Politics Crime & Justice

Is Honking Free Speech? U.S. Supreme Court to Review CA Woman’s Case

11/01/2023
One of the few areas the Supreme Court has agreed on in recent years is free speech. Now, the high court will decide if protections extend to a woman who sued after being cited in 2017 for honking 14 times as she drove by a political protest.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Elections & Politics State of California

State Assemblymember Gail Pellerin Running for Second Term

11/01/2023
Gail Pellerin filed election paperwork for most of her adult career as the chief elections officer in Santa Cruz County, but now she’s getting used to the process from the other side of the desk.

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Business, Economy & Jobs Health Elections & Politics Government

California Takes One Small Step Toward Single-Payer Healthcare

10/31/2023
Image for display with article titled SB 770: California Takes One Small Step Toward Single-Payer Health Care as Newsom Signs Bill

But the bill doesn’t move the state toward single payer fast enough, other healthcare advocates say.

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Families & Children Elections & Politics Crime & Justice

What Reparations Could Look Like in California

10/31/2023
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Ongoing series looks at varied effort reparations could require

From Benito Link...

Elections & Politics County of San Benito

Aromas Residents Work With County to Get New Ballot Dropbox

10/31/2023
Living in a town that straddles Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties can sometimes be a challenge for people living in Aromas.

From The Sacramento Bee...

Elections & Politics State of California

State Demands Compliance After Voting Rights Groups Warn About Shasta County Election

10/31/2023
California’s Secretary of State has told the Shasta County Board of Supervisors that it cannot hand-count ballots in its Nov. 7 special election. In a letter, Secretary of State Shirley Weber said the county must comply with new legislation that bars the hand-counting of ballots.

From The Pajaronian...

Elections & Politics City of Capitola City of Watsonville

Watsonville, Capitola City Council Meetings Assailed by ‘Zoom Bombs’

10/27/2023
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The Watsonville City Council will stop allowing virtual comments during its public meetings for the rest of the year after it received two anonymous calls filled with racist language and expletives during the Oct. 24 meeting.

From The Sacramento Bee...

Elections & Politics State of California

Voting Rights Groups Urge Shasta County Elections to be Monitored Due to ‘Misinformation’

10/27/2023
A nonpartisan coalition of voting rights advocates has asked the California Secretary of State’s office to monitor upcoming elections in Shasta County because of concerns about safety and the spread of misinformation.

From CalMatters...

Transportation Elections & Politics Sustainability

Newsom’s Visit Underscores Electric Car Problem: China Holds Keys to Battery Industry

10/25/2023
China modeled some of its climate programs on policies first adopted by California. Now, California depends on the world’s most populous country for essential materials in its electric vehicle ambitions.

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Elections & Politics History Government

Trump Aside, California GOP Now Embraces ‘Ballot Harvesting’

10/18/2023
Image for display with article titled Breaking With Trump, California Republicans Go All-In on ‘Ballot Harvesting’

Desperate to win elections, state’s GOP embraces voting practices decried by former president as fraudulent.

Santa Cruz County Local News: Elections & Politics