With 3,524 votes counted on election night Tuesday in the Scotts Valley City Council contest, incumbent Greg Wimp—the political body’s newest member—was leading the pack with 39.49% of the vote, chasing after two open seats, with Michael Zeller, a transportation bureaucrat who works down in Monterey County, in second place with 33.69% of the vote, and former Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce head Danny Reber in third with 26.22%.
And when 575 more votes were added to the tally by the next morning, Wimp had increased his lead slightly, while Zeller lost some ground as Reber gained some—but not enough to change things much (Wimp was at 39.66% at press time Wednesday, followed by Zeller at 33.1% and Reber at 26.56%).
“Whatever happens tonight, Scotts Valley wins,” said Reber, who is currently the executive director of Valley Churches United and on Scotts Valley Water’s board, enjoying himself at an election party hosted at Wimp’s Scotts Valley sandwich shop. “Even if I don’t win, I’m going to keep serving my community.”
Wimp, ever the committed small business owner, was spotted helping an Exchange Club of Scotts Valley official to a submarine sandwich at his own victory party.
“I’m just happy I had all my supporters—a lot of support in the community,” said Wimp, in an unassuming tone. “It’s all because of them that I’m here. I love Scotts Valley. I care about the community. That’s why I’m doing this.”
Zeller is the director of programming and project delivery for the Transportation Agency for Monterey County. He was previously beat out by Wimp for a Council appointment in 2025, after Allan Timms resigned his seat to move out of town.
“I’m encouraged by the early results, but we need to let the process finish. Whatever the outcome, I’m proud to have run a positive campaign focused on the challenges ahead for Scotts Valley,” Zeller said in a statement. “Danny and Greg also ran good campaigns, and I respect their commitment to our community. I’m so glad that many neighbors took part and shared their love for our community and their hopes for the future. Thank you to every voter and supporter.”
Chris Maffia ended up helping her husband, Reber’s campaign treasurer Chuck Maffia, during the current election. “This was a good vibe tonight,” she said. “We have a very strong community here in Scotts Valley.”
“I dragged her into this,” is how Chuck, a retired bank executive and a Scotts Valley Planning Commissioner, put it.
The Maffias noted that, whatever City Council looks like, the members will have big jobs on their plate—from finding a new city manager to building the Town Center. They recalled with Mayor Donna Lind how that project has been in the planning phases for a couple decades already.
“Whether you’re a mayor or a Council member, it’s exciting,” said Lind, reflecting on the buzz of election night. “We’ve had times where no one has run.”
Lind said that while she knew other members of the Zeller family before, she only got to know Mike this past year. She added that politics “has never been partisan” in Scotts Valley.
“We may disagree, but we respect each other,” she said. “It’s the only reason I’m five terms in.”
Meanwhile, Measure G, the proposed transit occupancy tax (TOT, or hotel tax) increase was on track to pass with 65.14% in favor (only a simple majority is needed)—though that dropped to 63.61% by the following morning.
The regional offshore-drilling-restriction Measure D received overwhelming support, with about 84% in favor.
Meanwhile, Prop 37, which would create a loan program for middle-income buyers of qualified new homes, achieved 67.81% support by Wednesday morning.
On election night, Ruth Stiles was in first (of three available seats) for Scotts Valley Water District, with Brody R. Knutson in second with 29.74%, Bill Jager in third with 19.01%, followed by Brian Youmans in fourth with 17.5%.
By Wednesday, Stiles had increased her advantage to 33.11%, Knutson remained in second with 29.82%, and Jager was in third at 19.1%, with Youmans still at just 17.6%.
Also on Wednesday, for the two available Felton Fire Protection District director seats, Craig Winter was out in front with 42.36% of the vote, followed by Norman Crandell at 28.55%, then James Anderson at 20.78%. Bill Finlayson was bringing up the rear with 7.04%.
At press time, Ryan Coonerty was leading for Santa Cruz mayor, at 54.93%, with Ami Chen Mills at 44.22%.
Measure E: Ahead with 59%
The half-cent sales tax on nonessential goods that supporters say could raise $27 million annually for services affected by federal cuts was in the lead as of 8:45pm on election night, with 35% of ballots counted. Of those who voted, 59% supported Measure E and 41% opposed it. Revenue would be deposited in the county’s general fund, which the County Board of Supervisors said will prioritize funds for protecting emergency medical services and community health clinics, food assistance, mental health and substance use treatment, and access to reproductive healthcare. If passed, some of this money could go to Watsonville Community Hospital.
Prop. 3: Ahead with 58.9%
With 71% of total ballots counted, Californians appear likely to pass Proposition 3, which amends the California Constitution to add the existing voter-approved tax rates for individuals earning over $371,000 or joint filers earning over $742,000, adjusted annually for inflation. As of 10:14pm on Tuesday, 59% of Californians who voted had decided yes on Prop. 3, which applies to about 2% of California’s population and would maintain the $5 billion to $15 billion in annual state income tax revenue generated by the tax.
Files from UC Berkeley California Local News Fellow Syd Fluker contributed to this article, which has been updated with additional details.
