Santa Cruz is a deep-blue city where electing an outright Republican to the City Council remains nearly impossible in the current environment. That’s reality. But Republicans remain a sizable, motivated voting bloc capable of acting as kingmakers in close races. By supporting pragmatic, moderate Democrats like Ryan Coonerty (for Mayor), Renée Golder, and Scott Newsome over more extreme left challengers, local Republicans can exert real influence and help steer the city toward sanity, safety, and basic functionality rather than ideological excess.

 

These candidates represent a more grounded approach focused on practical governance, housing that actually gets built, public safety, and keeping downtown and neighborhoods livable, versus the activist-driven policies that have contributed to visible disorder, business struggles, and over-the-top progressive experiments. Coonerty brings experience as a former supervisor and councilmember with a track record of a broader perspective. Golder and Newsome, as incumbents, have shown willingness to prioritize results over rhetoric in a challenging environment.

 

Remember Measure M back in 2024: the ballot initiative pushed strict height limits and higher inclusionary requirements that would have made housing even harder to build. It failed decisively (roughly 40% yes, 60% no). While Democrats were split on this issue, Republican voters provided crucial opposition that helped stop it, preserving the City Council’s flexibility to address the housing shortage without constant voter micromanagement.

 

That coalition proved Republicans don’t need their own majority to matter; they can be the decisive margin against the most disruptive ideas.

 

Santa Cruz cannot afford to drift further into performative progressivism that prioritizes ideology over sidewalks you can walk on, businesses that can survive, and policies that treat residents and visitors fairly. Republicans should turn out strongly and back these moderates. Your votes can be the difference between a functional city and an ongoing circus. Pragmatism over purity in Santa Cruz, that’s how conservatives can still shape outcomes.