Santa Cruz County Voters Guide: General Election 2020

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Election Day is days away and many voters have yet to cast ballots for candidates seeking to represent them in Congress or in the local council chambers.

Be sure to find the ballot drop box or in-person voting location closest to you, if you aren't mailing your ballot in. If you've already mailed your ballot, you can track it here and sign up to receive notifications about its status.

Below, you'll find a list of races that will appear on the ballots of Santa Cruz County voters. Don't forget to stay tuned to Patch on Election Day as results trickle in.

Note: Vote for one candidate in each race, unless otherwise specified. Find voter statements for candidates here.

Federal

U.S. House of Representatives District 18

• Anna G. Eshoo (D): incumbent
• Rishi Kumar (D): councilmember, tech executive

U.S. House of Representatives District 20

• Jeff Gorman (R): small business owner
• Jimmy Panetta: incumbent

State

State Senate District 17

• Vicki Nohrden (R): businesswoman
• John Laird (D): natural resources secretary of California

State Assembly District 29

• Shomir Banerjee (R): physician, engineer
• Mark Stone (D): incumbent

State Assembly District 30

• Gregory Swett (R): walnut grower, school trustee
• Robert Rivas (D): incumbent

County

Superior Court Judge

• Annrae Angel: attorney
• Nancy de la Peña: assistant county counsel
• 1st District Supervisor
• John Leopold: incumbent
• Manu Koenig: nonprofit executive director

Boards of Education

Santa Cruz County Board of Education Governing Board Member

Trustee Area 3

• Sandra Nichols: incumbent
• Mike Kubo: research scientist

Trustee Area 5

• Alyssa Wall: educator, college advisor
• Brad Williams: ER nurse, teacher

Trustee Area 6 (includes Monterey County voters)

• Ed Acosta: agriculture manager and father
• Dana M. Sales: incumbent, real estate broker

Community College Districts

Cabrillo Community College Governing Board Member

Trustee Area 4

• Diana Alfaro: housing project manager
• Rachael Spencer: incumbent

Trustee Area 5

• Felipe Hernandez: Watsonville city councilmember
• Leticia Mendoza: incumbent

Trustee Area 7

• Edward Banks: incumbent
• Steven Laird Trujillo: author, educator

Unified School Districts

Pajaro Valley Unified School District
Governing Board Member

Trustee Area 3

• Amanda Hernandez: patient care technician
• Oscar Soto: safety inspector and father

Trustee Area 6

• Maria R. Orozco: incumbent
• Adam Bolaños Scow: environmental advocate

San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District
Governing Board Member

Trustee Area 3

• Grace Pollak: parent
• Laura Dolson: incumbent
• Elementary School Districts

Loma Prieta Joint Union School District Governing Board Member

Vote for 2 (Includes Santa Clara County Voters)

• Erin Asheghian: community volunteer
• Alexandra Hall: appointed incumbent
• Stacy Kissner: educator, parent

City Councils

Capitola

Vote for 2

• Kristen Petersen: incumbent
• Margaux Keiser: small business owner
• Will Little Bear Reising: account executive, father
• Anthony Rovai: financial advisor, father

Santa Cruz

Vote for 4

• Sandy Brown: incumbent, teacher
• Sonja Brunner: business community director
• Kelsey Hill: nonprofit program director
• Maria Cadenas: nonprofit executive director
• Elizabeth Conlan: scientist
• Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson: nonprofit strategic manager
• Alicia Kuhl: wellness specialist
• Kayla Kumar: nonprofit executive
• Marine Watkins: incumbent, educational coordinator

All Santa Cruz City Council candidates were sent a Q&A from Patch. Maria Cadenas and Elizabeth Conlan responded. Click the clinks to see their priorities and more.

Scotts Valley

Vote for 3

• John Lewis: infrastructure engineer
• Donna R. Lind: incumbent
• Jack Dilles: incumbent
• Randy Johnson: incumbent, mayor

Watsonville

District 1

• Eduardo Montesino: metro supervisor, father

District 2

• Aurelio Gonzalez: incumbent
• Vanessa Quiroz-Carter: adjunct professor

District 6

• Tony Gomez: community volunteer
• Jimmy Dutra: teacher

Water Districts

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency Director

Division B

• John Kegebein: retired CEO
• Stephen G. Rider: regulatory manager

San Lorenzo Valley Water District, Director

Vote for 2

• Beth Thomas: retired education director
• Tina Marie To: marine environmental scientist
• Gail Mahood: retired geology professor
• Lew Farris: appointed incumbent

Soquel Creek Water District Director

Vote for 2

• Tom LaHue: incumbent, veterinary surgeon
• Maria Marsilio: human resources director
• Bruce Daniels: incumbent, water scientist
• Corrie Kates: retired businessman

Voters can direct questions to the county clerk office at 831-454-2060 or info@votescount.us.