As polls closed tonight, Fifth District Supervisor candidate Monica Martinez was hanging out on the second floor of Bruno’s Bar and Grill in Scotts Valley with a sizable contingent that included multiple other candidates for political office.
“We just had so many community members come out to support the campaign,” she told the Press Banner. “We just did everything we could.”
One table over was John Lewis, who was running for Scotts Valley Council.
Sitting next to his wife and son, he was refreshing the County’s votescount.us results page, nervously awaiting the initial tally.
“You’re not sure if you won or lost,” he said, of the feelings that are just part of the deal—as other, less consequential, prizes were being given out. “I’m really just hoping to win this raffle.”
Lewis has been thinking a lot about Tetris recently—about how, when you’re successful, the evidence of the obstacle just disappear, and how you can’t help but think about the opportunities you missed.
And, as if on cue, his number—8972—was called out.
He was awarded the book, “Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me)” by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson.
When the first batch of elections results arrived, he found himself in sixth place with 9.6% of the total (1,050 votes), ahead of Dustin Lopez at 8.24% (901), but behind Mercedes Molloy at 10.46% (1,144) and Corky Roberson at 11.63% (1,272).
The leaders of the pack included Krista Jett at 18.03% (1,971), Steve Clark with 18.62% (2,036) and—well out in front—incumbent Donna Lind with 23.16% (2,532).
The initial count showed Martinez had developed an early lead, with 9,517 votes (57.89%), ahead of her opponent Christopher Bradford, who was at 41.89% (with 6,887 votes).
Lind was also at the Martinez watch party, and noted she was pretty confident about her chances.
“I felt a lot of support,” she said.
Actually, it was the Measure X business license tax she was more worried about.
In early results that was faring quite well—at 72.92% support (3,361 votes).
“We need it,” Lind said, of the measure which just needed a majority to pass.
On the other hand, the Scotts Valley Unified School District bond (Measure O) hung in the balance, at 54.49% in support (3,954)—it needs 55% to pass.
The Scotts Valley Fire District bond (Measure S) was faring less well. It had just 62.04% support (5,099 votes), when it would need to be at 66.67% to pass.
The Bonny Doon Elementary School District seemed to be on track with its ask of voters. Measure L had, up to this point, raked in 680 votes, for a 65.51% share (it needs 55% to pass).
Daron L Pisciotta, Michael Weaver and Ron Whittle were leading in the race for three Scotts Valley Fire Protection District director slots by a solid margin.
For Scotts Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees, where three seats are available, Stephanie Espinola was in pole position at 19.49% with 2,829 votes, followed by Gary Redenbacher at 18.88% (2,740 votes) and Michael Shulman at 18.59%. However, Erica B. Turzak had 17.96% (2,607 votes) and Mitali Hindia Weiglein was at 15.84% of the vote with 2,299 votes.
Meanwhile Alina Layng and Bryan Largay were well ahead in the contest for two San Lorenzo Valley Water District director seats.
Meanwhile, 80.36% of people (62,413) supported a constitutional right to marriage, regardless of sex or race, while 19.64% (15,257) of people in the county opposed this change.
The Boulder Creek Fire Protection District director race was pretty close, with Robert Locatelli out in front, with Chris Currier in second and David Scruggs in third (with three seats available)—though Vince Y. Cortina’s Sr. wasn’t that far behind.
Out of a pack of seven for Felton Fire Protection District Director (with three openings), Mike Shults was leading, at 18.65%, followed by Erica Schwanbeck at 17.53% and Doug Conrad in third at 15.9%—followed by Judy Anderson at 14.84%.
Pausing for a moment before joining the crowd of revelers at Bruno’s, Scotts Valley Mayor Randy Johnson (who’s decided to retire) said there will, of course, be winners and losers tonight.
He encouraged the losers to stay engaged in the civic process, perhaps by joining commissions and committees.
“To the winners,” he said, “look back at the things you promised and try to fulfill some of those things.”
*The spelling of Erica B. Turzak’s name has been updated.
