APTOS—Second District Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend remained far ahead of challenger Becky Steinbruner Wednesday, with just over 67 percent of the vote.
In a packed party in Cantine Winepub in Aptos, Friend gave a short victory speech, which was led off by his wife Tina Friend, the City Manager for the City of Scotts Valley.
“I’m so excited for the district, because great things are happening,” she said.
Zach Friend said that the county is at a “defining moment.”
“I really think that in the next four years we’re going to be judged by future generations in the same way we’re judging what generations did over the last 40 years,” he said.
Friend told the crowd that he sees his job as a “huge responsibility” as he prepares to address such issues as water, transportation and affordable housing.
“No one should be standing here in four, eight years saying it takes $70,000 to afford a two-bedroom apartment,” he said. “No one should be standing in this position saying it’s acceptable that over half the students in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District receive a free or reduced lunch. We can change this trajectory but you’ve gotta be willing to move forward.”
This was the second time Friend has beaten Steinbruner. In June 2016, he won by more than 71 percent.
