For the first time in 16 years, two of the five seats on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors are open with no incumbent running. The 4th District seat has been held by James Gore for three terms.
The candidates
- Melanie Bagby is a former Cloverdale mayor and two-term council member. She is a registered Democrat and is backed by labor and progressive groups.
- Tom Schwedhelm is a former Santa Rosa mayor and retired police chief. He has long been registered no party preference and is backed by business and law enforcement groups.
The June primary
Final results showed Bagby with 37.91%, Schwedhelm with 31.69% and Cloverdale Vice Mayor Todd Lands with 30.40%. Schwedhelm edged out Lands by 397 votes. The district has 63,036 registered voters, and 30,910 votes were cast in the race.
The money
Bagby reported $164,742 in contributions between July 1 and Oct. 26, The Press Democrat reports. Schwedhelm reported $86,261 between July 1 and Oct. 6, after outraising her in the primary. Schwedhelm's consultant blamed a weak wine and construction economy. He also pointed to the updated Levine Act, which limits officials from voting on matters involving people who gave them more than $500 in the prior 12 months.
The district
The 4th District covers northeastern Sonoma County, including Cloverdale, Healdsburg, Windsor, northern Santa Rosa, and the Alexander and Dry Creek valleys.
This explainer summarizes the candidates' own statements and published reporting. It does not endorse anyone.
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.