Coonerty Leads Early Count in Santa Cruz Mayor Race

Former council member Coonerty holds the early lead over Chen Mills in the city's mayoral contest.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in City Hall

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a plain civic building facade with a columned entrance against a coastal hillside, evoking a local election. — Former council member Coonerty held an early lead over Chen Mills in the Santa Cruz mayoral race after June primary vote counts. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you trust your local government to handle housing and homelessness well?

Coonerty led early vote counts in the Santa Cruz mayoral election, while Chen Mills trailed in early results. The two were the top vote-getters among five candidates in the June primary.

Why it matters

The race pits a former council member and county supervisor against a candidate with a long grassroots organizing background, offering Santa Cruz voters a clear choice on development, business policy, and homelessness. The outcome will shape how the city approaches large building projects and camping rules.

The June primary narrowed the field of five candidates to Coonerty and Chen Mills, the top two vote-getters. Early results released November 3, 2026 showed Coonerty ahead, though specific vote totals were not provided.

The players

Coonerty

A former Santa Cruz City Council member and Santa Cruz County supervisor who is running for mayor on a platform of challenging large developments and enforcing camping bans.

Chen Mills

A candidate with a long history in grassroots organizing who is running for Santa Cruz mayor and advocating for a community land trust, a tiered business tax, and expanded shelters.

The details

Coonerty, a former Santa Cruz City Council member and county supervisor, wants to challenge large building developments, bring more businesses to the city, and enforce camping bans. Chen Mills, who has a long history in grassroots organizing, backed the successful effort by Get the Flock Out to get the City Council to drop its contract with Flock Safety, and proposes a community land trust, a tiered business tax, and more shelters for homeless people.

June 2026: Primary election narrows five candidates to Coonerty and Chen Mills.
November 3, 2026: Early results released in the Santa Cruz mayoral election.

Political Context

Chen Mills's grassroots organizing background and the council's decision to drop its Flock Safety contract signal that activist pressure has already shifted city policy. Coonerty's emphasis on development challenges and camping enforcement offers the main counter-argument on how Santa Cruz should balance growth and public order.

The winner will influence whether large developments face tougher scrutiny, whether camping bans are enforced, and whether new taxes or shelter funding are pursued. Residents may see these choices reflected in city permitting, enforcement, and budget decisions.

The takeaway

Santa Cruz voters are choosing between a development-focused, enforcement-oriented approach and a grassroots, tax-and-housing approach to city governance. Paying attention to each candidate's specific proposals on land use and homelessness will clarify what changes are on the table.