Santa Cruz County Board Of Supervisors Shakeup: New Chair Chosen

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Supervisor Bruce McPherson is the new chair of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.

McPherson — who represents the fifth district encompassing San Lorenzo Valley, most of Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz — will chair the board for the next year. McPherson is a fourth-generation Santa Cruz County native who began his career as a reporter at his family newspaper, the Santa Cruz Sentinel, before ascending to serve in the legislature as both an assemblymember and senator.

Newly elected Supervisor Manu Koenig, who ousted incumbent John Leopold in the November election, will serve as vice chair. The first district supervisor serves part of Santa Cruz and Capitola, plus neighboring communities including Live Oak, Pleasure Point, Soquel Village and more. Koenig, a Santa Cruz native, has a background in tech.

The shakeup came Tuesday, at the first Board of Supervisors meeting of 2021. Meetings will continue online due to the coronavirus pandemic, the county said in a news release.

Learn more about how to participate in virtual meetings here.