Candidate Profile: Justin Cummings For County Supervisor

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Justin Cummings is one of three candidates running for Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors District 3 in the June 7 primary.

Cummings is running against Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson and Ami Chen Mills.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns. Below are Cummings’ responses.

Age (as of Election Day)

39

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Jacqueline Wilson (mother); Kenneth Cummings II (brother); Kenneth Cummings (father; deceased)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelor’s in Spanish and bachelor’s in biology from Eastern Illinois University; Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology from UC Santa Cruz

Occupation

Environmental scientist and conservation program head at UCSC; city councilmember since December 2018

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Santa Cruz City Mayor 2020, Santa Cruz City Councilmember since 2018

Campaign website

https://www.cummingsforsupervi...

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running because this is a pivotal moment in the history of our County. As a middle class renter, union member, environmental scientist and non-profit developer, fluent Spanish speaker, former UCSC grad student, educator, and former Mayor, I believe that my leadership and life experience will help us forge a sustainable path forward for our environment, community, local economy, and future generations.

Reflecting on my term as Council member, Vice Mayor, and Mayor of Santa Cruz, I made it a point to put aside political differences to listen and work with all members of the Council and community, and effectively brought forward policies that benefit all of the residents of Santa Cruz.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have the experience and have kept my commitment to serving my community as a former Vice Mayor, former Mayor, and Councilmember. It is evident through my actions that when I say I am going to do something I follow through with it till the end.

As a renter, working middle class professional, environmental Scientists, workforce developer, fluent spanish speaker, educator, african american, and having served as Mayor during one of the most difficult years in the history of our community as we addressed the onset of COVID-19, social unrest after the murder of George Floyd, and the CZU fires, I have the experience our community needs to bring us together and get things done.

As we continue to navigate mitigating the impacts of climate change, increasing diversity and inclusion in our community, providing truly affordable housing for our workforce, rebuilding after the CZU fires, and uplifting people from poverty, I believe that I have the skills and experience to help address these challenges.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Most recently the work I helped spearhead with County Supervisor Zach Friend in regards to law enforcement received national recognition. Through the criminal justice council we brought together the various law enforcement agencies in the county to see what was working well and what needed to be addressed.

Check out the full CalMatters 2022 Voter Guide here.