Hopefuls Fight For County Supervisor Spot; Measures Matter: CA Primary

WATSONVILLE, CA — Tuesday is Election Day for the California primary when voters will decide key races in Watsonville and at the state and federal levels.

Three hopefuls will battle it out for the County Supervisor District 4 position.

Ed Acosta, Felipe Hernandez and Jimmy Dutra all hope to take Greg Caput's spot.

Voters also have a close watch on local ballot measures.

Measure F authorizes a 0.5% transactions and use tax, which would increase the total sales tax rate to 9.75%.

Those in favor say in part it will make Santa Cruz "a safer, more affordable, cleaner city to live in– benefitting all residents."

Opponents say because it goes to the city's general fund, "it cannot be earmarked for special programs, no matter how worthy. The city budget should not be balanced on the backs of those least able to afford it.”

Measure F needs a simple majority (50% + 1) of "yes" votes to pass.

The Santa Cruz County Greenway Initiative, Measure D, is a major local topic.

It seeks to change the Circulation Element of the Santa Cruz County General Plan to support developing an interim multi-purpose trail ("the Greenway") within the Santa Cruz Branch Line Rail Corridor, which would require a federal process called railbanking, the measure states.

Supporters say in part it will get more people outside and reduce traffic and "The Greenway plan to build a 32-mile trail, accessible to all, is fully funded and can be built now. The trail will preserve the natural landscape and showcase the beauty of our coastline."

Some opponents say the purpose is not clear and "Greenway Measure D advocates could've written a straightforward initiative for an honest debate about the rail corridor. But Measure D is riddled with misleading arguments."

A "yes" vote would change the County's General Plan Circulation Element to add language that supports the development of an interim multi-use trail in the rail corridor and would require removing of the existing tracks, the measure states.

A "no" vote would mean no changes.

For a complete guide to statewide races, see the CalMatters California Election 2022 Voter Guide.

Along with local races, the election includes contests for:

• U.S Senate
• Governor
• Lieutenant Governor
• Secretary of State
• Controller
• Treasurer
• Attorney General
• Insurance Commissioner
• Member of State Board of Equalization
• State Superintendent of Public Instruction
• U.S Representative in Congress
• State Senator
• State Assembly Member

Polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Voters can track their ballots here.