Watsonville Native, Pumpkin Farmer Joins County Supervisor Race

Jimmy Dutra will join a crowded race for the 4th District County Supervisor seat, a declaration the 38-year-old Watsonville resident made while emceeing the beef auction at the County Fair.

Dutra made the announcement Saturday afternoon at the Santa Cruz County Fair.

Todd McFarren, a former Watsonville mayor; Dana Sales, a county Board of Education trustee, as well as current Watsonville city council members Daniel Dodge and Trina Coffman-Gomez, also are considering running for the seat.

Supervisor Greg Caput currently holds the office, which represents much of Watsonville and the southeastern area of Santa Cruz County. He was elected in 2010. 

Dutra was born and raised in Watsonville, where he attended Salesian Sisters, E.A. Hall Middle School and graduated Watsonville High School in 1993. He then attended Santa Clara University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1997.

While at Santa Clara University Dutra was chosen among thousands of applicants to be a White House Intern for President Bill Clinton.  While at the White House Dutra worked in the Office of Presidential Personnel, as well as in First Lady Hillary Clinton's office.  

Dutra has worked on some high-profile campaigns, including a California Gubernatorial campaign and former Vice Presidential Candidate Geraldine Ferraro's NY Senate race.  

More recently, Dutra has been working for the family business, Dutra Farms, and operating Jimmy's Pumpkins on East Lake Avenue each fall. 

To learn more about Dutra's campaign, including his vision for South County, follow him on Facebook or email jimmydutra@yahoo.com

The election is in June.