SANTA CRUZ — There’s a new face on the Santa Cruz County Superior Court bench, but it won’t be an unfamiliar one.
Among the lineup of 15 judicial appointments announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom late last week was Mandy Tovar, tapped from the county Public Defender’s Office to become the newest local judge.
Tovar has served in multiple roles since she joined the Public Defender’s Office in 2022, including deputy public defender as well as the office’s first training, equity and development director, according to the announcement from Newsom’s office. Additionally, she has also served as a team lead at the county agency, where she provided mentorship and guidance to felony and misdemeanor defenders.
“We wish Judge Tovar well in this new chapter and look forward to appearing in her courtroom,” the Public Defender’s Office wrote in a social media post.
The recipient of a juris doctor degree from California Western School of Law, Tovar’s career as a public defender began in 2004 at the Fresno Public Defender’s Office. In 2005, she took a job at Biggam, Christensen and Minsloff, which was the defense firm that provided public defense prior to Santa Cruz County establishing the Public Defender’s Office. Tovar stayed in place as a public defender when the transition went through in 2022.
Additionally, Tovar, a Spanish speaker, is also president of the Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance Board of Directors. The South County nonprofit provides comprehensive health education, mental health, substance abuse, intervention and prevention services as well as direct counseling to local youth and their families.
“We are grateful for (Tovar’s) leadership and wish her the very best in this exciting new chapter,” the organization wrote in a social media post.
In June 2022, Tovar joined the Senderos Board of Trustees after participating as a professional panelist in Senderos’ Latino Role Models Conference. Senderos is a nonprofit that specializes in teaching Latino culture and history through the artistic expression of dance and music.
“Ms. Tovar is dedicated to serving the community and she serves as a role model for Senderos youth,” Senderos Executive Director Isai Pazos said in a statement.
Tovar, a Democrat, will take the place of former Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Timothy Volkmann, who retired last year after a 16-year tenure on the bench.
Tovar’s compensation for her new role is $244,727, according to the release from Newsom’s office.