Voters in Santa Cruz County will have an opportunity to participate in the June Primary election and the November General election, 2026. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local)

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY >> Yes, it’s another election year. The 2026 midterm election cycle will see more than a dozen seats up for grabs in governing bodies across Santa Cruz County. Those future city council members and county supervisors will shape how taxpayer money is spent, and how to respond to issues like homelessness, the housing crisis and climate disasters.

Five local seats will appear on the June ballot, with the remaining city council races across the county scheduled for the general election in November. For potential candidates eyeing a seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors or the Santa Cruz City Council, the official filing period opens Feb. 9.  To learn more about how to run for office, visit the county’s elections department.

Voter Guide: Key Dates to Remember

• Feb. 9 to March 6: Candidate filing window.
• May 4: In-person voting begins at two locations; ballots mailed to all registered voters.
• May 18: Last day to register to vote to receive a ballot and guide by mail.
• June 2 (Election Day): Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors (June Primary)

• The race for the District 4 seat is on. Watsonville native Elias Gonzales announced his bid to challenge incumbent Felipe Hernandez. Hernandez, also born and raised in Watsonville, is seeking a second term.

• In District 3, which includes the City of Santa Cruz, incumbent Justin Cummings confirmed he is seeking a second term.

Santa Cruz City Council and mayor (June Primary)

The race for mayor of Santa Cruz, a citywide, four-year seat is officially an open field. Incumbent Fred Keeley confirmed he will not seek a second term. 

Two sitting council members are seeking reelection: 

• Scott Newsome represents District 4, which includes Downtown. “I am excited about what is coming forward and doing more great work,” Newsome said. 
• Renee Golder represents District 6, which includes part of lower Westside and part of the UC Santa Cruz campus.

Capitola City Council (November Election)

Capitola City Council is not part of the June election. But come November, three of five seats are up for grabs.

• Councilmember Susan Westman, who was appointed to the council in 2025, said she will not seek a full term. “At this time I have no plans to run,” Westman said. 
• Councilmember Joe Clarke said he is “not done yet,” and is seeking reelection.
• Mayor Margaux Morgan, who was appointed to the council in 2025 after losing reelection in 2024, was selected to serve as mayor for 2026. She did not respond to requests for comment about whether she will seek reelection in November. 

Watsonville City Council (November Election)

November’s ballot is also set to include races for four of seven seats on Watsonville City Council. 

• Those seats are held by Mayor Kristal Salcido, Mayor Pro Tempore Casey Cark and councilmembers Maria Orozco and Ari Parker. All except Parker are eligible for re-election. 

• None of the eligible incumbents responded to requests for comment regarding their re-election plans.

Scotts Valley City Council (November Election)

Two seats are up on Scotts Valley City Council this November. 

• Greg Wimp, appointed in 2025, expressed a strong desire to continue serving as a council member . “Yes, my intention is to run. I really just want to help the community,” Wimp said. 
• Longtime Councilmember Derek Timm said he is keeping his options open, and will make a final decision as the election gets closer.

Runoff elections

Races for the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors and the Santa Cruz City Council follow a two-round system. If a candidate receives at least 50% of the vote on June 2, they are elected outright. If no one hits that mark, the top two finishers will move on to a runoff during the November 3 general election.  Newly elected city council members will officially take office on Dec. 8, and supervisors on Jan. 4, 2027.

People’s Agenda

Every election, Santa Cruz Local assembles the county’s most in-depth, nonpartisan election guide and presses candidates on the issues most important to residents.

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