About Us
A Message from Our Chairperson
Welcome to the official website of the Santa Cruz County Democratic Party! We hope you use our online community to access all of your local Democratic needs. Without question, we are at a defining moment in our nation’s history. With the election of Democrats throughout the state and our community, we have the power and ability to enact positive change. Together, we can focus on placing our communities back on track and bringing forth the ultimate Democratic principal: that every American, regardless of background, can improve their lives and the lives of others through hard work and service to their community. We hope you join us in this endeavor. - Coco Raner-Walter
About Us
California State law requires every county to have a Central Committee for each political party. The official title in Santa Cruz County is the Santa Cruz County Democratic Central Committee, also referred to as SCCDCC or DCC. This is the local governing body that works in concert with the California Democratic Party. Membership consists of local Democrats committed to supporting Democratic ideals, issues, and candidates on local, state and national levels. Each Central Committee member is elected for four year terms by the voters in each of the five Supervisorial Districts in Santa Cruz County in every primary election. All Santa Cruz County registered Democrats are eligible to run for these seats and may apply prior to each primary election by completing the required forms at the Santa Cruz County Elections Office.
Our Mission
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Identify, encourage and support Democrats who choose to run for public office in Santa Cruz County;
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Conduct Democratic voter registration drives;
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Increase voter turnout at the polls; and
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Sponsor activities designed to educate and inform the community on current political issues.
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The DCC also charters local Democratic Clubs that organize educational and social events to increase interest and involvement in Democratic issues.
Our People
There are currently twenty-one elected members from the following Supervisorial Districts:
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District 1: Five (5) member seats
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District 2: Four (4) member seats
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District 3: Five (5) member seats
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District 4: Two (2) member seats
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District 5: Five (5) member seats
In addition, there are Ex Officio members, who are Elected Democrats whose State Senate, the State Assembly, and Congressional Districts are within Santa Cruz County boundaries. Both members and Ex Officio members may appoint alternates who may vote if the member is not present. In the event a vacancy occurs between primary elections, notices of the vacancy are made public (including on this website) and registered Democrats who reside in that Supervisorial district may apply for the vacant seat. New members are always welcome and bring new ideas and vitality to the organization.
District 1 (representing the cities and areas of Live Oak, Soquel, the Summit area, Santa Cruz Gardens, and Carbonera)
Keith Gudger - alt Reed Geisreiter
Joe Hall – alt Jeanne Allen
Nora Hockman - alt Paula Mack
Tony Russomanno – alt Suzanne Doty
Adam Spickler – alt Karen Darling
District 2 (representing Aptos, La Selva Beach, Corralitos, Freedom, and portions of both Capitola and Watsonville)
Rene Bloch – alt TBA
Adele Gardner – alt Pat Manning
Gigi Kelbert – alt Kristen Petersen
Rachel Williams - alt Andrew Goldenkranz
District 3 (representing Davenport, Bonny Doon, the North Coast of Santa Cruz County,
as well as a significant portion of the city of Santa Cruz including the University of California, Santa Cruz campus)
Akin Babatola – alt Tamyra Rice
Cyndi Dawson - alt Clayton Strawn
Stacey Falls - alt Shawn Orgel-Olson
Cynthia Hawthorne – alt Diana Alfaro
Cynthia Mathews – alt Hollie Locatelli
District 4 (representing most of the city of Watsonville as well as the surrounding unincorporated areas of the Pajaro Valley)
Jenny Sarmiento – alt TBA
Jenni Veitch-Olson – alt TBA
District 5 (representing the San Lorenzo Valley, Santa Cruz Mountains, the city of Scotts Valley, portions of the city of Santa Cruz,
as well as faculty housing portion of the University of California, Santa Cruz campus)
Gwen Chiaramonte - alt Jack McCourt
Glenn Glazer – alt Wendy Haris Guin
Linda Kerner – alt Laura Gonzalez
Richelle Noroyan – alt Clint Bonds
Coco Walter – alt Carolyn Livingston
Elected Officials and their alternates:
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo: Robin Musitelli
Congressman Jimmy Panetta: Carol Fuller
State Senator Bill Monning: Rachel Bickert
State Assembly member Mark Stone: Johanna Schonfield
State Assembly member Robert Rivas: Jimmy Dutra