Editorial | Santa Cruz Sentinel Editorial Board begins endorsement process

After interviewing candidates, the Sentinel Editorial Board will be making endorsements in four local elections for public office. The four races are for District 4 (Pajaro Valley) county supervisor; city of Santa Cruz mayor; and Santa Cruz City Council, districts 4 (including the downtown area) and 6 (lower Westside and parts of the UCSC campus). In the former two races, since there are more than two candidates running in each one, candidate will have to poll more than 50% of the vote to avoid a November runoff.

One candidate for office, District 3 county Supervisor Justin Cummings is running unopposed. City Council elections in the cities of Watsonville, Capitola and Scotts Valley will go to voters in those cities on the November ballot.

Continuing past practice, we will not be endorsing in the governor's race, in which six Democrats and two Republicans remain on the ballot - a race that is likely to go to a November runoff to determine who will take over from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The primary election occurs June 2. Mail-in ballots will be sent out May 4.

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