Six candidates are running for two seats on the five-member Rohnert Park City Council, and at least one newcomer will join the council. Voters in Districts 2 and 5 elect members to four-year terms.

District 2 (open seat)

Mayor Emily Sanborn is not running again. District 2 includes the L, M, R and W sections and Sonoma Mountain Village. Three first-time candidates are running:

  • Linda Khoury Tams, 51, a lifelong resident, business owner and realtor. She's endorsed by Rep. Mike Thompson, Supervisor David Rabbitt and all five sitting council members. She opposes cutting public safety.
  • Michael DeSimone, 48, a healthcare director who opposed the Resynergi plastics facility near SoMo Village. He favors targeted rather than across-the-board cuts and promises regular district town halls.
  • Paul Carey, 47, a military veteran who worked in the City Manager's Office on economic development until his job was cut this year. He wants a dedicated economic development manager.

District 5

District 5 is in the northwest, north of Enterprise Drive.

  • Susan Hollingsworth Adams, 68, is seeking a third term. She was first elected in 2018 and is backed by SEIU Local 1021, building trades groups and the Sonoma County Democratic Party.
  • Mauricio Barreto, 44, retired in 2023 after 14 years in law enforcement with the Lake County Sheriff's Office and Clearlake Police. He's critical of Measure K because, as a general tax, its money can be spent on anything.
  • Arlene Linder, 89, a retired artist and former business owner, is running on housing affordability.

What's at stake

The city faces a long-term $10.8 million deficit. A developer submitted plans last month for the 30-acre downtown site, with 400 homes, a hotel and shops around a plaza. Voters will also decide Measure K, a half-cent sales tax expected to raise $5.5 million a year. Read our Measure K explainer.

How to vote

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center.