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Jimmy Dutra became the first openly gay mayor in Watsonville history, serving in the position from December 2020 to December 2021. Dutra is now in his second stint on the city council, having served from 2014 to 2018. He left the council to run against incumbent Greg Caput for a seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, but lost.
Dutra is a third-generation Watsonville resident and helps his family run their agricultural business, Dutra Farms. He attended Santa Clara University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science. While at Santa Clara, he was selected to serve as an intern at the White House during Bill Clinton’s administration. He has worked on several political campaigns in California and New York.
Notable quote: “I’m so thankful to the community that has come out to support me in such a big way,” he said. “I feel like they want experienced leadership and someone who will be a voice for all people. That’s something I want to be as mayor.” (Source: the Pajaronian)
The Watsonville City Council and the Monterey County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday both unanimously passed resolutions to support the immigrant community, days before reelected President Donald Trump prepares to retake the office on Jan. 20.
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation will present details of a pesticide proposal and accept public comments at two more hearings this month.
A group of city workers and volunteers spent the afternoon cleaning massive amounts of trash from a wooded hillside in Watsonville one sunny day in early December, hauling away several full dumpsters.
