District 2 Santa Cruz City Council
The District 2 Santa Cruz City Council seat is up for election. The Santa Cruz City Council converted to a district-based representative system in 2022. The March 5 election is the first time District 2 voters will choose a council member.
District 2 includes the Lower Ocean and Seabright neighborhoods, the Santa Cruz harbor, Arana Gulch and midtown south of Water Street and to the eastern boundary of the city.
District 2 voters will choose between Hector Marin and incumbent Sonja Brunner.
Key differences in candidates’ positions
| Sonja Brunner | Hector Marin |
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| How to make housing more affordable: | |
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| Where new housing should be built in District 2: | |
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| How to address homelessness: | |
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| View on Measure M: | |
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How to make housing more affordable
Sonja Brunner:
- Carry out the city’s Housing Element, a plan for the next eight years.
- Pursue more 100% affordable projects like Pacific Station North and Pacific Station South.
Hector Marin:
- Focus on creating homes affordable to very-low income residents.
- Expand opportunities for homeownership.
- Raise the portion of new developments that are required to be affordable.
Where new housing should be built in District 2
Sonja Brunner:
- On sites identified in the Housing Element.
- Taller buildings should go on main streets, not in neighborhoods.
Hector Marin:
- Where neighbors support upzoning.
- Near public transit.
- Outside natural areas or sites that would change the coastal skyline.
How to address homelessness
Sonja Brunner:
- Build more permanent supportive housing, very-low income housing and emergency shelters.
- Mobilize “clean teams” to address littering.
Hector Marin:
- Expand mental health services.
- Expand warming centers and winter shelters.
- Make city homelessness spending more transparent.
View on Measure M
Sonja Brunner:
- Against Measure M.
Hector Marin:
- Supports Measure M.
What we heard from Santa Cruz City Council District 2 voters
To understand voters’ priorities for the March 5 election, Santa Cruz Local interviewed and surveyed 75 Santa Cruz residents from four city council districts. Santa Cruz Local heard from residents ages 18 to 84 from August to October. The survey was not intended to be a scientific study, but rather a straw poll of issues that matter to voters.
The top themes raised by District 2 residents were:
- Increasing housing affordability.
- Housing development.
- Addressing homelessness.
- Walking, cycling and public transportation infrastructure.
- Crime, drug use and litter in public spaces.
Map of District 2 Santa Cruz City Council
Click here for an interactive map of Santa Cruz City Council districts.
The Santa Cruz City Council converted to a district-based representative system in 2022. The March 5 election is the first time District 2 voters will choose a council member. (City of Santa Cruz)
