Proud Mom: An Interview with the New County Supervisor's Mother

The mother of newly elected Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend couldn't be more proud. Patch got a few minutes alone with Cynthia Friend, who flew up from San Diego for election night, to ask a couple of questions about her son.

Patch: How often do you wear Zach's pin?

Mom: Oh, every day, including in San Diego. I have two signs up in my hard and some of my neighbors do too.

Patch: Were you surprised when Zach decided to run for County Supervisor?

Mom: When Zach was about 8 or 9 years old, he started writing letters to the editor. He's always been politically oriented.

Zach Friend, the Santa Cruz police spokesman and analyst, by netting more than half of the total ballots cast. Against four opponents, he garnered 57 percent of the vote.

Patch would have loved to chat more with his mom, but vote totals started coming in and it was time for family photos.