Candidates Line Up For November Election

Watsonville Planning Commissioner and CSU Monterey Bay Lecturer Karina Cervantez declared her candidacy for the Watsonville City Council in District 2 seat Wednesday morning.

"I have decided to run for city council to continue building a strong and vibrant community," Cervantez said in a prepared statement. "Living in the region for over 10 years, I recognize the many challenges confronting our city, and will work to improve our local schools, bring more jobs to Watsonville and to reduce crime through greater community engagement of our youth."

Also Wednesday, , the executive director of Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, declared her candidacy.

"Born of farm worker parents in Watsonville, I bring a clear understanding of the sacrifices immigrant families make to achieve the American Dream," Cortez said in a prepared statement. "I believe strongly that education is the great leveler in our society. "

Cortez is a product of local public schools—Mintie White Elementary, E.A. Hall Middle and Watsonville High School—and earned a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Global Peace and Security from UC Santa Barbara receiving a B.A. in Political Science & a Minor in Global Peace and Security.

In the city council elections, where four seats are up for grabs, . That's the first step in running for office. Current council members Lowell Hurst (District 3) and Felipe Hernandez (District 1) did so on Monday; Planning Commissioner Trina Coffman-Gomez filed for the District 6 seat Tuesday, according to City Clerk Beatriz Florez. All are unopposed at this time.

The council seat Cervantez will vie for covers eastern Watsonville. Cervantez already has been endorsed by current District 2 City Council Member Oscar Rios, State Assemblymember Bill Monning and State Assemblymember Luis Alejo. .

"I am proud to have the support of Councilman Oscar Rios and I'll continue to be an effective voice for the residents of District 2," Cervantez said.

Cervantez would be only the second Latina to ever serve on the Watsonville City Council if she wins her race on Nov. 6, behind former Watsonville Mayor Ana Ventura Phares.

"I also hope to serve as a role model for our young women here in Watsonville and show them that we can serve in key leadership roles in our community," Cervantez said. 

Cervantez previously worked with the Community Action Board's Youth Community Restoration Project (YCORP), where she worked directly with youth transitioning from juvenile hall back into the community. She also helped develop youth leadership and mentorship programs, including Girlzpace, an after school program working with young women in Watsonville.

Cervantez is a graduate of Porterville High School and is the daughter of farm workers who continue to work in the Central Valley's fields. She received her Bachelors of Arts and her Masters of Science in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz. She is currently completing her doctoral (Ph.D) degree in psychology also from UC Santa Cruz, where she has published numerous scholarly articles.