Read Santa Cruz Local's Election Guide
Watsonville City Council districts
Watsonville City Council has seven geographical districts. Voters choose council members to represent their district. In the Nov. 8 election, voters in Districts 3, 4, 5 and 7 will choose city council members. However, District 7 is the only contested race because only one candidate is on the ballot for Districts 3, 4 and 5.
Candidates responded to Watsonville voters’ needs, which were gathered in Santa Cruz Local surveys and interviews this fall. Read more about the candidates below.
District 7 Watsonville City Council candidates
The tan area shows Watsonville City Council District 7. (City of Watsonville)
Voters in District 7 will choose one of two candidates: Nancy Bilicich or Ari Parker Read Santa Cruz Local’s Election Guide for more information on the candidates:
Ari Parker
Declined to participate
District 3 (City of Watsonville)
District 3 Watsonville Cruz City Council candidate
Voters in District 3 will choose a council member on the Nov. 8 ballot. District 3 includes areas west of Green Valley Road and north of Highway 1. The sole candidate is Maria Orozco.
District 4 (City of Watsonville)
District 4 Watsonville Cruz City Council candidate
Voters in District 4 will choose a council member on the Nov. 8 ballot. The sole candidate is Kristal Salcido.
District 5 (City of Watsonville)
District 5 Watsonville Cruz City Council candidate
Voters in District 5 will choose a council member on the Nov. 8 ballot. The sole candidate is Casey Clark.
Casey Clark
Declined to participate
Background on the Watsonville City Council
The Watsonville City Council is a seven-member elected body that creates city laws, sets the city’s budget and oversees city functions including Watsonville police, fire and Parks and Community Services.
The council has the power to:
- Decide where and how much housing gets built in the city’s General Plan.
- Set policies to address homelessness.
- Hire and fire the city manager.
- Propose taxes.
Qualifications
Council candidates must be a registered qualified city voter for at least 30 days. City council candidates must live in the district they represent. Other desirable qualifications for candidates include:
- A willingness to work with other council members to craft policies.
- An ability to understand complex budgets.
- Broad interests: The council’s oversight includes the city’s water and wastewater systems, contracts with city employee unions, planning for growth, and public buildings and facilities.
What we heard from voters
This year, Santa Cruz Local talked about 60 Watsonville residents in interviews and an online survey. Their most common questions and issues were taken to the candidates.
The top themes raised by Watsonville residents were:
- A need for more youth activities.
- A need for more businesses that cater to young people and families.
- Help with rent.
- Safer streets for walkers and cyclists.
- Better quality jobs and higher wages.
Read more about what Santa Cruz Local heard from Watsonville voters.
—Kara Meyberg Guzman and Stephen Baxter
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