Candidate Watch

When candidates are issued any candidacy document or file a document, it is recorded here. This is NOT an official list of candidates.

Candidate filing closes on August 7, 2026. Until that time, this is an UNOFFICIAL list of persons interested in running for office in November. The incumbent's name has been provied for information purposes only.

• City Councils
• Boards of Education & Community Colleges
• School Districts
• Fire Districts
• Water Districts
• Other Districts

 

Cities - refer to the city's website for more details

City of Capitola, Councilmember - 3 Seats

Incumbent: Joe Clarke
Incumbent: Margaux Morgan
Incumbent: Susan Westman

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A

 

City of Watsonville, Councilmember - District 3

Incumbent: Maria Orozco

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A

 

City of Watsonville, Councilmember - District 4

Incumbent: Kristal Salcido

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A

 

City of Watsonville, Councilmember - District 5

Incumbent: Casey K Clark

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A

 

City of Watsonville, Councilmember - District 7

Incumbent: Ari Ann Parker

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A

 

City of Scotts Valley, Councilmember - 2 Seats

Incumbent: Derek Timm
Incumbent: Greg Wimp

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A

 

Boards of Education & Community Colleges

Santa Clara County Board of Education - Trustee Area 2

Incumbent: Tara Sreekrishnan

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Santa Cruz County Board of Education - Trustee Area 1

Incumbent: Sue Roth

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Santa Cruz County Board of Education - Trustee Area 2

Incumbent: Bruce Van Allen

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Bruce Van Allen	7/14/2026	N/A	N/A	7/15/2026

 

Santa Cruz County Board of Education - Trustee Area 4 (Short Term)

Incumbent: Stacey Kyle

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Stacey Kyle	6/22/2026	N/A	N/A	7/15/2026

 

Santa Cruz County Board of Education - Trustee Area 7

Incumbent: Abel Sanchez

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Cabrillo Community College District - Trustee Area 1

Incumbent: Donna Ziel

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Cabrillo Community College District - Trustee Area 2

Incumbent: Adam Spickler

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Cabrillo Community College District - Trustee Area 5 (Short Term)

Incumbent: Francisco Estrada

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Cabrillo Community College District - Trustee Area 6

Incumbent: J Dan Rothwell

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

West Valley-Mission Community College District - Trustee Area 5

Incumbent: Diane Lamkin

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

West Valley-Mission Community College District - Trustee Area 7

Incumbent: Susan Oster Fish

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

School Districts

Aromas-San Juan Unified School District - Trustee Area 3

Incumbent: Kristen Schaefer

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Bonny Doon Union Elementary School District - 3 Seats

Incumbent: Diane Herd
Incumbent: Kendra Turk-Kubo
Incumbent: Joanna Reynolds

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Happy Valley Elementary School District - 3 Seats

Incumbent: Clifford Hodges
Incumbent: Jacob Willet
Incumbent: Michelle Yegge

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Jacob Willet	7/16/2026	N/A	N/A	7/16/2026

 

Lakeside Joint School District - 3 Seats

Incumbent: Robert Ewing
Incumbent: Christopher Lamb
Incumbent: Cory White

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Live Oak Elementary School District - 3 Seats

Incumbent: Felicita "Cita" Rasul
Incumbent: Marlize Velasco
Incumbent: Kristin Pfotenhauer

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Loma Prieta Joint Union School District - 3 Seats

Incumbent: Charlotte L Boisvert-Khandelwal
Incumbent: Nora Kim
Incumbent: Denise Ramon Herrera

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Charlotte L Boisvert-Khandelwal	7/15/2026	N/A	N/A	7/15/2026

 

Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District - Trustee Area 3

Incumbent: Steve Chen

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Mountain Elementary School District - 2 Seats

Incumbent: Michelle Jones
Incumbent: Bryan Matthews

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Bryan Matthews	5/22/2026	N/A	N/A

 

Mountain Elementary School District (Short Term) - 1 Seat

Incumbent: Joshua Williams

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Pacific Elementary School District - 2 Seats

Incumbent: Diana Conner
Incumbent: Cari Napoles

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Pajaro Valley Unified School District - Trustee Area 1

Incumbent: Joy Elaine Flynn Wall

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Andrew Goldenkranz	6/22/2026	N/A	N/A

 

Pajaro Valley Unified School District - Trustee Area 4

Incumbent: Daniel Dodge Jr

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Eriberto Estrada	4/7/2026	N/A	N/A
Daniel Dodge, Jr	5/20/2026	N/A	N/A

 

Pajaro Valley Unified School District - Trustee Area 5

Incumbent: Olivia Flores

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Pajaro Valley Unified School District - Trustee Area 7

Incumbent: Misty Navarro

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Mads Stockwell Realmuto	4/7/2026	N/A	N/A	7/14/2026
Misty Navarro	5/5/2026	N/A	N/A

 

San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District - Trustee Area 1

Incumbent: Stacy Newsom Kerr

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Stacy Newsom Kerr	7/13/2026	N/A	N/A	7/13/2026

 

San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District - Trustee Area 2

Incumbent: Mark Becker

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District - Trustee Area 4

Incumbent: Gail Levine

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Gail Levine	7/15/2026	N/A	N/A	7/15/2026

 

Santa Cruz City Schools District - Trustee Area 1

Incumbent: Kevin Grossman

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Santa Cruz City Schools District - Trustee Area 2

Incumbent: Kyle Kelley

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Santa Cruz City Schools District - Trustee Area 4

Incumbent: John Owen

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Santa Cruz City Schools District - Trustee Area 5

Incumbent: Angela Meeker

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Angela Meeker	7/14/2026	N/A	N/A	7/14/2026

 

Santa Cruz City Schools District - Trustee Area 6 (Short Term)

Incumbent: Cindy Ruhsam

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Cindy Ruhsam	7/16/2026	N/A	N/A	7/16/2026

 

Scotts Valley Unified School District - 2 Seats

Incumbent: Lucia Rocha-Nestler
Incumbent: Roger Snyder

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Soquel Union Elementary School District - Trustee Area 3

Incumbent: Robert Dickenson

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Soquel Union Elementary School District - Trustee Area 4

Incumbent: Ariel B Gray

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Fire Districts

Aromas Tri-County Fire Protection District - 3 Seats

Incumbent: Ronald Bruce Mesiroff
Incumbent: George Mortan
Incumbent: Cliff Sloma

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Ben Lomond Fire Protection District - 3 Seats

Incumbent: Lisa Hill
Incumbent: Thomas Maxson
Incumbent: Marty Walker

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Martin Walker	7/15/2026	N/A	N/A	7/15/2026

 

Ben Lomond Fire Protection District (Short Term) - 2 Seats

Incumbent: Andrew Cope
Incumbent: Kirt Hackett

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Boulder Creek Fire Protection District - 2 Seats

Incumbent: Robert Louis Presswood
Incumbent: Sam Robustelli

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Robert Louis Presswood	7/14/2026	N/A	N/A	7/14/2026

 

Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County - Division 4

Incumbent: John Lucchesi

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
John Lucchesi	7/13/2026	N/A	N/A	7/13/2026

 

Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County - Division 5

Incumbent: Michael Hushaw

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Michael Hushaw	7/13/2026	N/A	N/A	7/13/2026

 

Felton Fire Protection District - 2 Seats

Incumbent: James Anderson
Incumbent: Norman Crandell

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Felton Fire Protection District (Short Term) - 1 Seat

Incumbent: Craig Winter

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District - 2 Seats

Incumbent: John R Sampson
Incumbent: Ashley Moules

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Scotts Valley Fire Protection District - 2 Seats

Incumbent: Kris Hurst
Incumbent: Zach Raney

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Zayante Fire Protection District - 3 Seats

Incumbent: Mary Clark
Incumbent: Kristi Lynn Locatelli
Incumbent: John Schneider

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
John Schneider	7/13/2026	N/A	N/A	7/13/2026

 

Zayante Fire Protection District (Short Term) - 1 Seat

Incumbent: Kris Crow

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Water Districts

Central Water District - 3 Seats

Incumbent: Frances Basich Whitney
Incumbent: Rob Marani
Incumbent: Marco Romanini

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Central Water District (Short Term) - 1 Seat

Incumbent: John Previsich

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency - Division A

Incumbent: Mary B Bannister

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency - Division C

Incumbent: Amy Ruth Newell

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

San Lorenzo Valley Water District - 3 Seats

Incumbent: Bob Fultz
Incumbent: Bob Russ
Incumbent: Mark Smolley

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Rick Rogers	2/17/2026	N/A	N/A	7/13/2026
Cheryl Adams	4/13/2026	N/A	N/A	7/13/2026
Robert Russ	2/23/2026	N/A	N/A

 

Scotts Valley Water District - 3 Seats

Incumbent: Bill Ekwall
Incumbent: Wade Leishman
Incumbent: Ruth Stiles

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Soquel Creek Water District - 3 Seats

Incumbent: Carla Christensen
Incumbent: Bruce Jaffe
Incumbent: Rachél Lather

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Carla Christensen	7/13/2026	N/A	N/A	7/13/2026
Bruce Jaffe	7/13/2026	N/A	N/A	7/13/2026
Rachél Lather	7/14/2026	N/A	N/A	7/14/2026

 

Other Districts

Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District - 2 Seats

Incumbent: George Galt
Incumbent: Diane Hamilton

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

La Selva Beach Recreation District - 2 Seats

Incumbent: Kevin J Bell
Incumbent: James Rhodes

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District - Ward 6

Incumbent: Margaret MacNiven

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Pajaro Dunes Geologic Hazard Abatement District - 3 Seats

Incumbent: Raphal Kraw
Incumbent: Patrick Dobbins
Incumbent: Michael V Butner

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Pajaro Valley Heathcare District - Zone 1

Incumbent: Marcus Pimentel

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
		N/A	N/A

 

Pajaro Valley Heathcare District - Zone 3

Incumbent: Joe Gallagher

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Joe Gallagher	7/14/2026	N/A	N/A	7/14/2026

 

Pajaro Valley Heathcare District (Short Term) - 1 Seat

Incumbent: Emily Balli

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Emily Balli	7/14/2026	N/A	N/A	7/14/2026

 

Santa Cruz Port District - Division 4

Incumbent: Reed Geisreiter

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Reed Geisreiter	8/13/2024	N/A	N/A	7/13/2026

 

Santa Cruz Port District - Division 5

Incumbent: Toby Goddard

Candidate Name	501 Filed	Signatures in lieu Petition Issued	Nomination Petition Issued	Declaration of Candidacy Issued
Toby Goddard	7/13/2026	N/A	N/A	7/13/2026