for 5th District
Supervisor 2024
BCBA candidate forum 9/26/2024
Valley Women's Club candidate forum 2/7/2024
Lookout candidate forum 9/18/2024
Off the Lip Radio Show interview 12/10/2023
Campaign kickoff 5/19/2023
Timestamps:
2:39 - DeAndre James, Scotts Valley resident
6:30 - Becca Rubin, San Lorenzo Valley resident
10:46 - Fred Keeley, Mayor of Santa Cruz
18:30 - Monica Martinez
“I have used public funding to navigate some of the most complex issues facing our community,” said Martinez. “I know how public systems work, and I also know how they can fail us, and this is why I’m the right candidate at the right time for the Fifth District.”​
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“I am known as somebody who goes against the way things have always been done, who brings new solutions, such as changing from funding only shelters in this community to funding affordable housing with the same dollars,” she said. “I have a track record of creating change and I’m really proud of the support that I’ve earned based on my long history.”
Lookout | September 18, 2024
"[Martinez] brings years of experience in public policy and in budget and providing leadership in dealing with unfunded state mandates...Martinez has developed an extensive set of policy recommendations and priorities that include a “housing first” approach to homelessness, disaster response, public transit and road repair funding and solving the ongoing Big Basin Water Co. troubles.
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Monica Martinez has an established track record working with county departments and budgets, along with proven problem-solving abilities. We recommend her election as 5th District supervisor.
Santa Cruz Sentinel; August 28, 2024
“If you’re elected for four years, that’s only four budget votes to make a difference before you run for reelection,” Martinez [said]. “That’s not that many for something that could change the trajectory of the county. Time is too valuable and precious to just rubber-stamp and allow things to go the way they’ve always gone. We’re only here for a moment to try and make an impact. That’s how I view everything.”
Lookout | September 15, 2024
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Lookout; January 23, 2024
Lookout; February 8, 2024
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Santa Cruz Sentinel; January 21, 2024
Press release; December 10, 2023
Lookout; November 7, 2023
Times Publishing Group; October 16, 2023
Santa Cruz Sentinel; June 16, 2023
Good Times; December 20, 2023
"If she does win the race for a four-year term, Martinez will be the first woman elected to the District 5 seat; she told the B.A.R. a woman was appointed to it in 1979 and served two years. She would also be the first woman to serve on the county board since 2012 and the first elected since 2008.
"I am ready to work as hard as I can all the way through the election because diverse candidates like myself, we don't have the privilege of walking into these seats," said Martinez. "I am ready to work hard to understand the needs of our district so I can represent it well as a supervisor."
Bay Area Reporter; December 6, 2023
Good Times; October 18, 2023
Santa Cruz Sentinel; July 1, 2023
"Martinez has placed her years of experience in the public service sphere front and center in her campaign, saying her work with local government has familiarized her with its strengths and weaknesses and will prove useful in helping the community secure the resources it needs."
Santa Cruz Sentinel; April 3, 2023
"“I think it’s time that the Fifth District gets the resources that it deserves,” she said. “It’s overlooked.”"
"“I think our community is ready for a fresh voice,” [Martinez] said. “I believe that diverse voices and diverse representation lead to better decision-making.”"
Press Banner; April 3, 2023
"'I’m taking the calls for a change and a fresh voice seriously,” said Martinez, who began thinking about a supervisor run after what she called a frustrating county response to the CZU fires in 2020. “My career and life’s work has been helping others and putting public resources into the hands that need it most.'"
Lookout Santa Cruz; March 8, 2023
“'Encompass has long dreamed of building a bright, new behavioral health center in Watsonville to reduce barriers to treatment and make personalized, high-quality behavioral health care accessible to everyone in our community,' said Encompass CEO Monica Martinez."
Santa Cruz Sentinel; December 22, 2022