First District Supervisor John Leopold

John Leopold was first elected to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in November 2008, and then re-elected in 2012 and 2016. He represents the First District, which includes Live Oak, Soquel, the Summit Area, Santa Cruz Gardens, and Carbonera. John previously served on the Cabrillo College Governing Board for 8 years, leading the effort to pass a $118 million facilities bond for the college in 2004.

As a member of the Board of Supervisors, John has worked tirelessly with the community to develop an effective Vacation Rental Ordinance, sensible gun shop regulations, budget policies that prioritize essential community services, and cannabis regulations. John engages with First District residents at regular community meetings to actively listen, inform, and support the interests and concerns of the community. He has engaged with hundreds of community members in developing community projects as part of the Redevelopment Agency, broadening the dialogue about criminal justice reform efforts in response to state prison realignment, discussing the sustainable future of Santa Cruz County, neighborhood safety issues, and local development projects. With a strong environmental ethic, John led the Board in banning hydraulic fracking in Santa Cruz County and securing Sunny Cove Beach for permanent public use. John also played a leadership role in the acquisition of the branch rail line through Santa Cruz County and the development of a master plan for the Monterey Bay Scenic Trail (the Rail Trail).

John has worked collaboratively with the Live Oak School District and the Santa Cruz Boys and Girls Club to open a new Youth Center and has partnered with the Loma Prieta and Happy Valley School Districts to create new recreational facilities for students.

John lives in Live Oak with his wife Teresa and has two daughters, Rose and Ana.

Supervisor Leopold Newsletters

2020 Newsletters

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's October 13 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's September 30 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's September 23 - Covid and Fire Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's September 15 - Equity in our Water Rates

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's September 1 - County Responds to the Wildfire

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's August 24 - Fire Safety in the First District

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's August 19 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's August 10 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's July 28 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's July 15 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's July 1 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's June 15 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's June 8 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's June 1 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's May 26 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's May 18 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's May 11 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's May 4 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's April 27 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's April 20 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's April 13 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's April 6 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's April 1 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's March 23 COVID-19 Update

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's March 2020 Newsletter

Click here to view Supervisor Leopold's January 2020 Newsletter

2019 Newsletters (Click to view) 

2018 Newsletters (Click to view) 

2017 Newsletters (Click to view) 

2016 Newsletters (Click to view) 

2015 Newsletters (Click to view) 

2014 Newsletters (Click to view) 

Click here to join Supervisor Leopold's Newsletter Mailing List

Constituent Meetings

In accordance with Santa Cruz County Public Health directives, Supervisor Leopold has temporarily replaced his regular in-person constituent meetings with virtual town halls held announced in his newsletter and on Supervisor Leopold’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/supervisorjohnleopold/) using the Zoom video interface every Wednesday from 6:00-7:00pm. Additionally, you may contact Supervisor Leopold and his staff via phone at 831-454-2200 or email at john.leopold@santacruzcounty.us. Supervisor Leopold’s online town halls and community meetings may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnCkWNATIXe0exqmfYHiMpQ

Supervisor Leopold's upcoming constituent meetings are listed below. 

Supervisor Leopold can be contacted as follows:

• 701 Ocean Street, Room 500, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
• (831) 454-2200 (phone)
• (831) 454-3262 (FAX)

Click here to e-mail Supervisor John Leopold.

Email Supervisor Leopold’s Staff:

Angela Chesnut, County Supervisor's Analyst
Dave Reid, County Supervisor's Analyst
Tony Sloss, County Supervisor's Analyst

Click here to see a map of District 1.