Bruce McPherson

Bruce McPherson is a Santa Cruz County supervisor, representing the 5th District. Before he was elected supervisor in 2012, reelected in 2016 and 2020, he served two terms in the California State Assembly and two terms in the California State Senate. During his 11 years in the Legislature, he served as chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee, vice chair of the Senate Education and the Senate Environmental Protection Committees, and chair of the Assembly Elections Committee. In the aftermath of the resignation of California’s secretary of state in early 2005, he was nominated for the position by Governor Schwarzenegger and confirmed unanimously by both the Senate and Assembly, subsequently serving as California’s secretary of state in 2005 and 2006. He was recognized as Legislator of the Year by numerous organizations and foundations, including the California School Boards Association, the California State Association of Counties, the League of California Cities, the California Wellness Foundation, and the California Small Business Association. After 2006, he was appointed to distinguished positions at many organizations, including California Forward, a statewide organization co-chaired by Leon Panetta to investigate the structural issues that contribute to the state’s partisan stalemates; and to the Statewide Leadership Council of the Public Policy Institute of California. He was the driving force behind the formation of Central Coast Community Energy, one of the largest and most successful community choice energy agencies in California and has served on the policy board. For many years, he has been a strong advocate for senior rights and services.  He initiated the county becoming an “Age Friendly” Community, has served on the Area Agency on Aging for many years, and is involved in the development of a local playbook to bring California’s Master Plan for Aging plan to Santa Cruz County.