Santa Cruz Mayor · Nov 3, 2026

Ami Chen Mills

Candidate for Mayor

2 candidates · 1 seat6 sourced positions

Ami Chen Mills is running for mayor of Santa Cruz in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Ryan Coonerty.

Election Day; polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. · Tue, Nov 3, 2026

Journalist and lecturer who has called Santa Cruz home for 30 years. Has served on the Westlake School Site Council and City Homelessness Committee.

Where Ami Chen Mills stands: positions on the record

License plate readers2 sourced positions

Says she organized to get the city to cancel its automatic license plate reader contract.
“I successfully organized to get our city to cancel our invasive automatic license plate reader contract.”
Own statementCity of Santa Cruz
as reported by Santa Cruz Local; not a direct quote
Opposes license plate readers from Flock or any other company, including under a different presidential administration.
“a constitutional violation of the Fourth Amendment”
Forum answerSanta Cruz Local, Nov. 3, 2026 election guide: Santa Cruz Mayor · Oct 3, 2026

Large development projects1 sourced position

as reported by Santa Cruz Local; not a direct quote
Plans to bring community feedback to developers early and to consider legislation requiring developers to support displaced businesses.
Forum answerSanta Cruz Local, Nov. 3, 2026 election guide: Santa Cruz Mayor · Oct 3, 2026

Taxes1 sourced position

as reported by Santa Cruz Local; not a direct quote
Would consider raising the hotel and short-term rental tax and a tiered business registration tax or gross receipts tax.
Forum answerSanta Cruz Local, Nov. 3, 2026 election guide: Santa Cruz Mayor · Oct 3, 2026

Homelessness1 sourced position

as reported by Santa Cruz Local; not a direct quote
Wants a daytime place to be for unhoused people and more emergency and interim housing, including safe parking and small managed encampments.
Forum answerSanta Cruz Local, Nov. 3, 2026 election guide: Santa Cruz Mayor · Oct 3, 2026

Renters1 sourced position

as reported by Santa Cruz Local; not a direct quote
Wants to consider a city mediation program for tenants and landlords and to educate tenants about their rights.
“I am deeply concerned about renters — renters are living on the edge here”
Forum answerSanta Cruz Local, Nov. 3, 2026 election guide: Santa Cruz Mayor · Oct 3, 2026

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