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.

 

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
Cami Corvin 5/13/2026 N/A 7/24/2026 7/24/2026
Joe Clarke 6/16/2026 N/A 7/27/2026 7/27/2026
Tory Del Favero 2/20/2026 N/A 7/30/2026 7/30/2026
Peter Wilk 7/21/2026 N/A 7/30/2026 7/30/2026
Troy "TJ" Welch Jr 7/2/2026 N/A 8/5/2026 8/5/2026

 

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
Maria Orozco 12/5/2025 N/A 7/13/2026 7/17/2026

 

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
Casey K Clark 3/26/2026 N/A 7/13/2026 7/27/2026
Angel Zuniga 4/30/2026 N/A 7/15/2026 8/3/2026

 

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
Ed Acosta 6/24/2026 N/A 7/13/2026 7/17/2026
Nancy Bilicich 2/2/2026 N/A 7/13/2026 7/20/2026

 

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
Michael Zeller 6/1/2026 N/A 7/21/2026 7/28/2026

 

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
Liann Reyes 8/4/2026 N/A N/A 8/4/2026

 

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
Abel Sanchez 7/17/2026 N/A N/A 7/17/2026

 

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
Adam Spickler 7/30/2026 N/A N/A 7/30/2026

 

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

Francisco Estrada

8/4/2026 N/A N/A 8/4/2026

 

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
Milissa Ales-Barnicoat 7/16/2026 N/A N/A 7/16/2026
Benjamin Finke 7/27/2026 N/A N/A  
Karen Cogswell 7/31/2026 N/A N/A 7/31/2026

 

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
Diane Lamkin 6/9/2026 N/A N/A 7/23/2026

 

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
Cliff Hodges 7/20/2026 N/A N/A 7/20/2026
Michelle Yegge 7/28/2026 N/A N/A 7/28/2026

 

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
Kristin Pfotenhauer 7/31/2026 N/A N/A 7/31/2026
Felicita Rasul 8/4/2026 N/A N/A 8/4/2026
Emily Avila 8/5/2026 N/A N/A 8/5/2026

 

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 8/4/2026
Michelle Jones 8/5/2026 N/A N/A 8/5/2026

 

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
Chad Herendeen 8/5/2026 N/A N/A 8/5/2026

 

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  
Robin Sukow 7/28/2026 N/A N/A 7/30/2026

 

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 7/28/2026

 

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
Mark Becker 7/23/2026 N/A N/A 7/23/2026

 

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
Ashleigh Hopkins 7/22/2026 N/A N/A 7/22/2026

 

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
Kevin Grossman 7/24/2026 N/A N/A 7/24/2026

 

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
Kyle Kelley 7/29/2026 N/A N/A 7/29/2026

 

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
John Owen 8/3/2026 N/A N/A 8/3/2026

 

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
Roger Snyder 8/3/2026 N/A N/A 8/3/2026

 

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
Robert Dickenson 7/21/2026 N/A N/A 7/21/2026

 

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
Ariel Gray 7/28/2026 N/A N/A 7/28/2026

 

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
Tom Maxson 7/28/2026 N/A N/A 7/28/2026
Lisa Hill 7/29/2026 N/A N/A 7/29/2026

 

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
Andrew Cope 7/23/2026 N/A N/A  
Kirt Hackett 7/30/2026 N/A N/A 7/30/2026

 

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
Sam Robustelli 7/27/2026 N/A N/A 7/27/2026

 

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
Norman Crandell 7/30/2026 N/A N/A 7/30/2026
James Anderson 8/5/2026 N/A N/A 8/5/2026
Craig Winter 8/5/2026 N/A N/A 8/5/2026

 

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
Dean Moules 7/21/2026 N/A N/A 7/21/2026
Kendel White 7/30/2026 N/A N/A 7/30/2026
John R Sampson 8/4/2026 N/A N/A 8/4/2026

 

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
Alexander Titus 7/23/2026 N/A N/A 7/23/2026

 

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
Mary Clark 7/21/2026 N/A N/A 7/21/2026
Kristi Locatelli 7/30/2026 N/A N/A 7/30/2026

 

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
Robert J Marani 7/28/2026 N/A N/A 7/28/2026
Marco Romanini 7/31/2026 N/A N/A 7/31/2026
Frances Basich Whitney 8/4/2026 N/A N/A 8/4/2026

 

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
John Previsich 8/4/2026 N/A N/A 8/4/2026

 

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
Bob Russ 2/23/2026 N/A N/A 7/21/2026

 

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
Ruth Stiles 7/24/2026 N/A N/A 7/24/2026
Brian Youmans 8/3/2026 N/A N/A 8/3/2026
Brody Knutson 8/3/2026 N/A N/A 8/3/2026

 

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
Diane Hamilton 07/31/2026 N/A N/A 07/31/2026
George Galt 8/4/2026 N/A N/A 8/4/2026

 

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: Bob Morrison

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