Santa Cruz Mayor Election: Ryan Coonerty Leads Ami Chen Mills in First Official Count

SANTA CRUZ, California — November 3, 2026. Ryan Coonerty held an early lead over Ami Chen Mills in the two-candidate election for mayor of Santa Cruz. The county Registrar of Voters’ preliminary report, timestamped 8 p.m. Tuesday, listed 7,789 votes (56.82%) for Coonerty and 5,806 (42.36%) for Chen Mills. An additional 112 votes (0.82%) were recorded as write-ins. Coonerty’s initial margin over Chen Mills was 1,983 votes; the canvass is not complete.

Two different approaches to city government

Coonerty, a former Santa Cruz City Council member and county supervisor, has discussed supporting local businesses, approaching large-scale development cautiously and enforcing camping restrictions. Chen Mills has emphasized housing alternatives, homelessness services and her grassroots organizing record. Those are campaign positions summarized by Santa Cruz Local, not endorsements by California58.

What the first number means

The county’s report is labeled Unofficial Election Night Results. Ballots already reported are not the same as every valid ballot cast. Mail ballots, provisional ballots and other eligible votes may be added in subsequent updates. The candidate with the early lead is not certified as the winner by this article.

The mayor will help set city priorities on housing, downtown development, public safety, municipal finances and environmental resilience. This is a citywide office, unlike district-based council seats in other municipalities.

Sources: Santa Cruz County Elections, 8 p.m. unofficial results and Santa Cruz Local election coverage. The county certification deadline is December 3.

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