Wizard in District 30 Assembly
Many Santa Cruz County voters would not be out of bounds in the upcoming June 7 primary election if they think they've been disenfranchised by the redrawing of legislative district lines.
Perhaps the most egregious change has resulted in District 30 Assembly.
Not one of the five candidates running for that Assembly seat is a resident of Santa Cruz County, and it's an open question just how the interests of Mid- and South County residents will be recognized by the winner.
The new district begins as far north as Live Oak, extends down to San Luis Obispo and contains much of Watsonville, and is nearly 75 percent white.
The Watsonville area previously was represented in the Assembly by Democrat Robert Rivas, but the San Benito County resident is now running in the newly drawn 29th district which is east and southeast of Watsonville and about 55 percent Hispanic.
The favorite in the 30th district race is Morro Bay City Councilwoman Dawn Addis.
Our choice, though, is Seaside City Councilman Jon Wizard. Our reasons are two-fold: at least he's been serving in a relatively nearby city, and he can draw on his experience and emphasis on housing. Wizard, like Addis a Democrat, is currently chair of the Housing Authority of Monterey County, which manages properties in Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties. His experience includes an appointment to the Monterey County Planning Commission, and working with Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay along with the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments.
A recent forum co-hosted by the Sentinel featured the candidates; four – Zoë Carter, Cal Poly student and Latvian immigrant John Drake, Vicki Nohrden and Wizard – were in the room, while Addis, the overwhelming choice of the Democratic party organization, appeared via Zoom, due to a recent COVID-19 exposure. The top two vote-getters will advance to a general election, regardless of party affiliation.
All expressed an affinity for Santa Cruz County and promised to make it a priority, although only one, Wizard, really seemed like he had spent much time here; saying he could be counted on to “show up, participate and be someone who is active in Santa Cruz County.” We'll take him at his word on this (and expect whoever wins to open an office in this county).
Water was the most common forum topic, as the candidates connected it to other key issues facing the district including housing and agriculture. “I don't think we can say we want workforce housing, but we aren't for all forms of water supply,” said Carter, a moderate Democrat and the director of operations at the Monterey County Business Council.
Addis, a teacher who has been active in co-founding the Women's March in San Luis Obispo, includes among her priorities improving health care and public health services, defending Roe v. Wade, and strengthening public education. She too wants to find ways to increase the water supply, along with smoothing out the permit process and finding the “political will” along with state help to get more affordable housing online.
Addis also touted her endorsements from former Rep. Sam Farr and the California Democratic Party.
Nohrden is the sole Republican running – she ran and lost against Stone in 2018 – and has received Supervisor Greg Caput's endorsement. And while a Republican usually has little chance of winning in the blue coastal regions, we give Nohrden credit for being the only candidate to stick around for the second part of the forum to hear a wide ranging discussion on Santa Cruz County issues from the three candidates for the Pajaro Valley Fourth District county supervisors' seat.
We're just not sure how we feel about this race, other than feeling somewhat powerless due to the redrawing of the map. We're also not convinced about just how much representation county residents will get should Addis, as expected, come out on top, or at least be the top vote getter for the November runoff. No doubt she's highly competent, but we'll stick closer to home and recommend Jon Wizard for District 30 Assembly.