Scotts Valley Water District: Stiles, Knutson and Jager Lead Three-Seat Board Race

SCOTTS VALLEY — November 4, 2026. Four candidates are competing for three Scotts Valley Water District board seats, and the third position has a narrow early margin.

Numbers from the November 4 county update

The November 4 unofficial count lists Ruth Stiles 2,084 votes, Brody R. Knutson 1,877, Bill Jager 1,202, and Brian Youmans 1,108, plus 23 write-ins. Jager’s current advantage over Youmans for the third position is 94 votes.

What the local vote is about

This is a water-district governance election, distinct from the two-seat Scotts Valley City Council contest and from the city’s Measure G hotel-tax proposal. Because voters could select as many as three candidates, percentage shares of candidate selections should not be confused with voter turnout. Additional eligible ballots can change the order before certification.

Why these results are preliminary

The reporting snapshot is dated November 4, 2026, at 1:53 a.m. Pacific. Election-night tallies do not account for all ballots accepted during canvassing. Further updates may change the totals. Voters should consult the Registrar of Voters for official certification.

Sources: Santa Cruz County Elections, November 4 at 1:53 a.m.. For California’s broader election coverage, see California58 Election Results 2026.

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