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Here is a second election report for the March 5, 2024 Primary. This article lists the candidates for the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors for the 1st, 2nd, and 5th districts. The listing order is provided by the Santa Cruz County Registrar of Voters. 1st District Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Lani Faulkner Lani is committed to community involvement and brings a wealth of experience to her campaign. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Santa Cruz Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Community Traffic Safety Coalition, and the local chapter of the NAACP. She spent nearly 15 years managing clinical trials for biotechnology companies, an experience that gives her a proven track record of facilitating collaborations between government agencies and the private sector. She taught science at UC Davis and other colleges. Lani was a beloved Mountain Biking Coach for over 7 years. Everywhere Lani works, she’s known as a coalition builder. With her diplomatic and innovative approach, Lani knows how to work with networks of government agencies to get things done, while also acting as an attentive and sympathetic conduit for community voices. Lani’s instrumental role in building community support to defeat Greenway’s Measure D in 2022 proved her capacity to build large coalitions that work together to solve big problems. Lani's experience and well-deserved respect come from leading through hard conversations. Website: https://www.laniforsupervisor.org/meet_lani Manu Koenig (incumbent) It’s hard to believe that another election cycle is upon us. Yet, the 2024 primary is now less than a year away. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished so far in my first term. And the truth is, we’re just getting started. I’m running for re-election in 2024 because there’s so much more to do. Here are some of the accomplishments from my first years in office. Know that I'll continue to push on these issues every single day: Affordable Housing Planning Department Accountability - created transparency in the Planning Department with a dashboard that shows the number of permits issued and approval times across all permit types. Unified Permit Center - launched the Unified Permit Center to create a one stop shop for permit applications and improve communication between all departments involved. Increased the number of staff positions for faster permit processing. Preserving Mobile Home Affordability - Preserve affordable housing in mobile home parks by closing rent-increase loopholes, improving the arbitration process between unit owners and park owners, and allowing rent-control provisions to be passed on to kids and grandkids. Tiny Homes - passed the most progressive tiny homes ordinance in the state, including allowing tiny homes to be used as primary dwellings. Tenant Protections - updated the County's Tenants' Rights Ordinance to protect non-English speakers from discrimination. Homelessness Adding Beds - building 55 new housing units for people experiencing homelessness with two successful Homekey projects in the unincorporated area: Veterans Village in the San Lorenzo Valley and Park Haven Plaza in Soquel. Improving Collaboration - updated policies that expand data collection for all non-profit service providers and set realistic expectations for people waiting in the housing queue. Keeping Neighborhoods Clean - worked with the Sheriff’s Office, Caltrans and Public Works to remove illegal encampments in Brommer Park, along Highway 1, around Emeline, and on our beaches. You can read more about Manu’s priorities here: https://www.manuforsupervisor.com/ 2nd District Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Kristen Brown Known for her skills in partnership building and constituent responsiveness, Kristen is currently serving as the Vice Mayor of Capitola. She is the Vice President of Local & Regional Government Relations for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and has served both State and Federal levels in public policy. Kristen holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration and, in 2018, was recognized as a Santa Cruz County Women’s Commission Trailblazer. Her website information is here: https://votekristenbrown.com/about/ Kim DeSerpa Kim has overcome many adversities in her life. Losing her father at a young age taught her how to overcome challenges and obstacles. Her work ethic runs deep; she found jobs at a young age to help her family succeed. Kim’s early experiences were shaped by compassion and hard work. Her family struggled, directly impacting Kim’s leadership in social work and serving her community Kim’s family is grounded in public service. Her mother, Nancy De Serpa, was the aide for the first elected female Supervisor in Monterey County history, Barbara Shipnuck. Nancy later worked for Supervisor Simon Salinas and finished her career working for nearly 20 years for Congressman Sam Farr. The torch was passed onto Kim in 2010 when she was elected to the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees. She is one of the longest-serving and most effective education leaders in Santa Cruz County. Website: https://www.kimdeserpa.com/ Bruce Jaffe We are at a pivotal moment in Santa Cruz County's history. A new Board of Supervisors must address the challenges of affordable housing, homelessness, transportation, climate change, and disaster preparedness and response. I will represent the interests of the 2nd District to create a stronger future and turn challenges into opportunities. I am dedicated to improving the lives of 2nd District residents by representing them in decisions made by the Board of Supervisors. Our community is diverse and needs a supervisor that will engage all stakeholders. Among my personal qualities that prepare me for being an effective Supervisor are good listening skills, open mindedness, patience, and experience in leadership. https://www.jaffeforsupervisor.com/ David Schwartz I am a small business owner, veteran, and organic farmer. I am not a politician. I received a business degree from San Jose State with an emphasis on accounting. I have lived in Santa Cruz County for 42 years and have owned and operated a tax, accounting, and business services firm here for over 30 years. I have helped hundreds of clients save money on taxes, start and build businesses, and comply with government regulations. Déjà View is a certified organic farm and vineyard (eight acres) I have farmed since 2001. I served on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters for nine years. I am a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and worked in a veteran’s hospital. I am married. My wife and I have been married for 36 years. We have two grown children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Our blended, multi-racial family has given me unique perspectives on family, racial, and gender issues. https://voteforschwartz.com/ 5th District Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Theresa Ann Bond For 18 years, my family has lived in unincorporated Santa Cruz County where my children attended our public schools (enrollment boundary in Santa Clara County). I was born, raised, and educated in Indiana. My work history started at age 9 as a newspaper carrier, followed by teenage work (childcare, food service, retail sales, hospital/nursing home), I worked 30 hours a week my senior year of high school, more hours working than attending class. Not surprisingly I exited high school unprepared for college and am proud while working that I earned a B.S. in Technology from Purdue University, West Lafayette. My journey to California is not unique: a 1-way ticket to LA to stay with friends, applied for jobs, was hired in retail, and rode the bus to work. Ashton-Tate (dBASE SW developer) offered me my first professional job two weeks after I started at Nordstrom. I worked at Ashton -Tate weekdays and continued at Nordstrom nights and weekends completing their manager training and gradually saving up to move into a studio apartment. Like so many families, I sent money home to my family and helped my siblings as they have also helped me. From LA, I was recruited by Apple Computer and moved to the Bay Area. My career in high-tech, (Fortune 100 companies and startups) in engineering and global business operations was my life and afforded me global experience before having a family and running for public office. This is a historic time of economic recovery for our nation, our state, and Santa Cruz County. My Silicon Valley network keeps me updated on job/economic trends that I know so many of our constituents are tied into with such dramatic economic changes in tech over the last 4 years. Check out my LinkedIn to see all of my experiences. https://theresabond2024.com/ Christopher Bradford I’m Christopher Bradford, a husband, a father, and I am running for 5th District County Supervisor. After losing our home in the CZU Fire's devastation, my family experienced a second tragedy: the county response and recovery efforts. Navigating callous obstruction while trying to pick up the pieces, I realized that so many families not only felt unseen, but were also suffering greatly due to the county response. A tragedy upon tragedy. I’m running to be the engaged and supportive representative our community deserves. As a Boulder Creek resident, local business owner, and Treasurer on the Fire Safe Council managing $1M+ in prevention resources, I’m deeply invested in this place thriving for the next generation. All of our children deserve to inherit a community made more just, resilient and affordable through moral governance. With courage, we can reform the systems that are failing residents today. That means cutting the bureaucratic red tape that is still delaying families from rebuilding after disasters. It means integrating equity into decisions about infrastructure, public transit access, and small business growth that strengthens our economy from the ground up. It means housing our teachers and workforce so children have nurturing classrooms and communities can thrive. It means ensuring our seniors can age with dignity through expanded care and support. The solutions are there if we stand up unflinchingly for one another. https://www.bradfordforsupervisor.com/ Tom Decker No website listed or candidate information provided on the Votecount website. Monica Martinez Monica Martinez is a lifetime public servant, parent, and San Lorenzo Valley resident who is ready to be a fresh voice for the 5th District. Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Santa Cruz County’s largest health and human services nonprofit, Encompass Community Services, Monica is dedicated to providing behavioral health, housing, and early childhood development to children, adults, and families across our community. She is also the Chair of the Santa Cruz County Parks and Recreation Commission and serves on the Executive Committee of the Santa Cruz County Health Improvement Partnership. Monica was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA, where her parents taught her the value of hard work and public service. Her father is a retired Kern County Fire Captain and her mother is a retired elementary school teacher, both career-long union members and community volunteers. However, Bakersfield wasn’t a welcoming place for an openly LGBTQ+ Latinx woman to raise a family and have a successful career. After pursuing her B.A. in Political Science at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and a Master’s in Public Administration at the University of Southern California, Monica launched her career in public service on Los Angeles’s Skid Row, serving women who were experiencing homelessness. In 2010, she was recruited to bring her professional expertise and passion to Santa Cruz County to serve as the Executive Director of the local nonprofit Housing Matters. While at Housing Matters, Monica co-founded the 180/180 Initiative, a community partnership that housed 180 of the most vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness in less than 2 years. https://www.martinezforsupervisor.com/about-monica
Here is a second election report for the March 5, 2024 Primary. This article lists the candidates for the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors for the 1st, 2nd, and 5th districts. The listing order is provided by the Santa Cruz County Registrar of Voters.
1st District Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors
Lani Faulkner
Lani is committed to community involvement and brings a wealth of experience to her campaign. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Santa Cruz Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Community Traffic Safety Coalition, and the local chapter of the NAACP. She spent nearly 15 years managing clinical trials for biotechnology companies, an experience that gives her a proven track record of facilitating collaborations between government agencies and the private sector. She taught science at UC Davis and other colleges. Lani was a beloved Mountain Biking Coach for over 7 years. Everywhere Lani works, she’s known as a coalition builder. With her diplomatic and innovative approach, Lani knows how to work with networks of government agencies to get things done, while also acting as an attentive and sympathetic conduit for community voices. Lani’s instrumental role in building community support to defeat Greenway’s Measure D in 2022 proved her capacity to build large coalitions that work together to solve big problems. Lani's experience and well-deserved respect come from leading through hard conversations. Website: https://www.laniforsupervisor.org/meet_lani
Manu Koenig (incumbent)
It’s hard to believe that another election cycle is upon us. Yet, the 2024 primary is now less than a year away. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished so far in my first term. And the truth is, we’re just getting started. I’m running for re-election in 2024 because there’s so much more to do. Here are some of the accomplishments from my first years in office. Know that I'll continue to push on these issues every single day:
Affordable Housing
Planning Department Accountability - created transparency in the Planning Department with a dashboard that shows the number of permits issued and approval times across all permit types.
Unified Permit Center - launched the Unified Permit Center to create a one stop shop for permit applications and improve communication between all departments involved. Increased the number of staff positions for faster permit processing.
Preserving Mobile Home Affordability - Preserve affordable housing in mobile home parks by closing rent-increase loopholes, improving the arbitration process between unit owners and park owners, and allowing rent-control provisions to be passed on to kids and grandkids.
Tiny Homes - passed the most progressive tiny homes ordinance in the state, including allowing tiny homes to be used as primary dwellings.
Tenant Protections - updated the County's Tenants' Rights Ordinance to protect non-English speakers from discrimination.
Homelessness
Adding Beds - building 55 new housing units for people experiencing homelessness with two successful Homekey projects in the unincorporated area: Veterans Village in the San Lorenzo Valley and Park Haven Plaza in Soquel.
Improving Collaboration - updated policies that expand data collection for all non-profit service providers and set realistic expectations for people waiting in the housing queue.
Keeping Neighborhoods Clean - worked with the Sheriff’s Office, Caltrans and Public Works to remove illegal encampments in Brommer Park, along Highway 1, around Emeline, and on our beaches.
You can read more about Manu’s priorities here: https://www.manuforsupervisor.com/
2nd District Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors
Kristen Brown
Known for her skills in partnership building and constituent responsiveness, Kristen is currently serving as the Vice Mayor of Capitola. She is the Vice President of Local & Regional Government Relations for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and has served both State and Federal levels in public policy. Kristen holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration and, in 2018, was recognized as a Santa Cruz County Women’s Commission Trailblazer. Her website information is here: https://votekristenbrown.com/about/
Kim DeSerpa
Kim has overcome many adversities in her life. Losing her father at a young age taught her how to overcome challenges and obstacles. Her work ethic runs deep; she found jobs at a young age to help her family succeed. Kim’s early experiences were shaped by compassion and hard work. Her family struggled, directly impacting Kim’s leadership in social work and serving her community Kim’s family is grounded in public service. Her mother, Nancy De Serpa, was the aide for the first elected female Supervisor in Monterey County history, Barbara Shipnuck. Nancy later worked for Supervisor Simon Salinas and finished her career working for nearly 20 years for Congressman Sam Farr. The torch was passed onto Kim in 2010 when she was elected to the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees. She is one of the longest-serving and most effective education leaders in Santa Cruz County. Website: https://www.kimdeserpa.com/
Bruce Jaffe
We are at a pivotal moment in Santa Cruz County's history. A new Board of Supervisors must address the challenges of affordable housing, homelessness, transportation, climate change, and disaster preparedness and response. I will represent the interests of the 2nd District to create a stronger future and turn challenges into opportunities. I am dedicated to improving the lives of 2nd District residents by representing them in decisions made by the Board of Supervisors. Our community is diverse and needs a supervisor that will engage all stakeholders. Among my personal qualities that prepare me for being an effective Supervisor are good listening skills, open mindedness, patience, and experience in leadership. https://www.jaffeforsupervisor.com/
David Schwartz
I am a small business owner, veteran, and organic farmer. I am not a politician. I received a business degree from San Jose State with an emphasis on accounting. I have lived in Santa Cruz County for 42 years and have owned and operated a tax, accounting, and business services firm here for over 30 years. I have helped hundreds of clients save money on taxes, start and build businesses, and comply with government regulations. Déjà View is a certified organic farm and vineyard (eight acres) I have farmed since 2001. I served on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters for nine years. I am a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and worked in a veteran’s hospital. I am married. My wife and I have been married for 36 years. We have two grown children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Our blended, multi-racial family has given me unique perspectives on family, racial, and gender issues. https://voteforschwartz.com/
5th District Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors
Theresa Ann Bond
For 18 years, my family has lived in unincorporated Santa Cruz County where my children attended our public schools (enrollment boundary in Santa Clara County). I was born, raised, and educated in Indiana. My work history started at age 9 as a newspaper carrier, followed by teenage work (childcare, food service, retail sales, hospital/nursing home), I worked 30 hours a week my senior year of high school, more hours working than attending class. Not surprisingly I exited high school unprepared for college and am proud while working that I earned a B.S. in Technology from Purdue University, West Lafayette. My journey to California is not unique: a 1-way ticket to LA to stay with friends, applied for jobs, was hired in retail, and rode the bus to work. Ashton-Tate (dBASE SW developer) offered me my first professional job two weeks after I started at Nordstrom. I worked at Ashton -Tate weekdays and continued at Nordstrom nights and weekends completing their manager training and gradually saving up to move into a studio apartment. Like so many families, I sent money home to my family and helped my siblings as they have also helped me. From LA, I was recruited by Apple Computer and moved to the Bay Area. My career in high-tech, (Fortune 100 companies and startups) in engineering and global business operations was my life and afforded me global experience before having a family and running for public office. This is a historic time of economic recovery for our nation, our state, and Santa Cruz County. My Silicon Valley network keeps me updated on job/economic trends that I know so many of our constituents are tied into with such dramatic economic changes in tech over the last 4 years. Check out my LinkedIn to see all of my experiences. https://theresabond2024.com/
Christopher Bradford
I’m Christopher Bradford, a husband, a father, and I am running for 5th District County Supervisor. After losing our home in the CZU Fire's devastation, my family experienced a second tragedy: the county response and recovery efforts. Navigating callous obstruction while trying to pick up the pieces, I realized that so many families not only felt unseen, but were also suffering greatly due to the county response. A tragedy upon tragedy. I’m running to be the engaged and supportive representative our community deserves. As a Boulder Creek resident, local business owner, and Treasurer on the Fire Safe Council managing $1M+ in prevention resources, I’m deeply invested in this place thriving for the next generation. All of our children deserve to inherit a community made more just, resilient and affordable through moral governance. With courage, we can reform the systems that are failing residents today. That means cutting the bureaucratic red tape that is still delaying families from rebuilding after disasters. It means integrating equity into decisions about infrastructure, public transit access, and small business growth that strengthens our economy from the ground up. It means housing our teachers and workforce so children have nurturing classrooms and communities can thrive. It means ensuring our seniors can age with dignity through expanded care and support. The solutions are there if we stand up unflinchingly for one another. https://www.bradfordforsupervisor.com/
Tom Decker
No website listed or candidate information provided on the Votecount website.
Monica Martinez
Monica Martinez is a lifetime public servant, parent, and San Lorenzo Valley resident who is ready to be a fresh voice for the 5th District. Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Santa Cruz County’s largest health and human services nonprofit, Encompass Community Services, Monica is dedicated to providing behavioral health, housing, and early childhood development to children, adults, and families across our community. She is also the Chair of the Santa Cruz County Parks and Recreation Commission and serves on the Executive Committee of the Santa Cruz County Health Improvement Partnership. Monica was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA, where her parents taught her the value of hard work and public service. Her father is a retired Kern County Fire Captain and her mother is a retired elementary school teacher, both career-long union members and community volunteers. However, Bakersfield wasn’t a welcoming place for an openly LGBTQ+ Latinx woman to raise a family and have a successful career. After pursuing her B.A. in Political Science at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and a Master’s in Public Administration at the University of Southern California, Monica launched her career in public service on Los Angeles’s Skid Row, serving women who were experiencing homelessness. In 2010, she was recruited to bring her professional expertise and passion to Santa Cruz County to serve as the Executive Director of the local nonprofit Housing Matters. While at Housing Matters, Monica co-founded the 180/180 Initiative, a community partnership that housed 180 of the most vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness in less than 2 years. https://www.martinezforsupervisor.com/about-monica