Greetings!
Every two years, Sonoma County politics usually throws up (there's an image) interesting political races. This year, most of the pundits have agreed that the contests are pretty much decided. Redistricting drew some new lines, and Santa Rosa still is split into three State Assembly districts. And the State Senate District is restored from the Golden Gate to the Oregon border.
Lots of candidates have announced, many dropped out.
The winners among those who remain are:
2nd Senate District; 4th District Supervisor Mike McGuire
2nd Assembly District: Healdsburg City Councilman Jim Wood
4th Assembly District: Napa County Planning Commissioner Matt Pope
It's only in the
10th State Assembly District where the race seems to be still being fought over. Incumbent Republican Assemblyman Marc Levine is being challenged by Democrats College of Marin Trustee Diana Conti and Santa Rosa City Councilwoman Erin Carlstrom. The district includes the southwestern portion of Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Cotati, Petaluma, and all of Marin County.
It's true that there will be interesting contests to fill Mike McGuire's 4th Supervisorial District seat, and for the three seats open (two incumbents not running) on the Santa Rosa City Council. But progressive activists should focus on the 10th Assembly District race. With a long history of environmental and social champions representing the Marin and Sonoma coasts, we must insist that our next member of the State Assembly represent us well.
That's why I'm supporting
Diana Conti. Diana has a long career in Marin and Sonoma County human services agencies, in which she continually demonstrated to me her abilities to build partnerships, and to resolve complex community issues. As the Executive Director of the Novato Human Needs Center, she and I negotiated contracts for county services delivered to the residents of the northern Marin when I served as Resource Administrator in the Public Health Division of the Marin County Heath and Human Services Department. When she led the Marin Institute, we worked with her to shape state and national drug and alcohol policy discussions. She and I also worked on statewide public health policy with the American Public Health Association, and again in the field of low income housing development when she was Founding President of the Board of the West Bay Housing Development Corporation. Currently, she serves as the CEO of Parca, an organization dedicated to serving those with developmental disabilities.
I have also been impressed by her long leadership on the Marin Community College Board of Trustees. In particular, she has played an important role in straightening out the operation of the College of Marin Foundation. Finally, in announcing her decision to become a candidate for the 10th Assembly District, Diana indicated that protection of the California coast was one of three issues of concern to her. I know she was concerned with Assemblyman Levine's lack of support for the authorization of violation fines by the California Coastal Commission in the least legislative year.
In short, Diana has led a life and a career which has established and guided state and local policies and programs. I cannot think of a more qualified individual to hold the office of member of the State Assembly. We need an experienced and proven leader to represent the coast north of the Golden Gate in the State Legislature. I urge all of you to join me in supporting her campaign.
Gregory Fearon
