Rabbitt vying for south county supervisor

<p>A third Petaluma council member, David Rabbitt, has filed for election to the south Sonoma County supervisor’s seat held by Mike Kerns.</p><p>Rabbitt’s submission of candidacy documents on Wednesday brings to five the number of contendes for the 2nd District seat. The post, which pays a $134,000 annual salary, will be vacant because Kerns, a three-term incumbent, is not seeking re-election. </p><p>Rabbitt will face Pam Torliatt and Mike Healy, both Petaluma council members, former Petaluma councilman Mike O’Brien and Penngrove rancher John King. All have filed the necessary documents for the election in June.</p><p>If no candidate receives more than half the votes, there will be a run-off next November.</p><p>Rabbitt, 49, is an architect who was elected to the city council in November 2006. He has been active in baseball and soccer youth leagues and has served on several panels including Petaluma’s site plan and architectural review committee and its recreation and parks committee.</p><p>“During my time on the Petaluma city council, I have witnessed firsthand how the divisive political bickering hurts the constituents and does nothing to advance their best interests,” Rabbitt said. “I am prepared to work vigorously to achieve our common goals including creating new jobs, improving our local economy, protecting our agricultural heritage, strengthening our community, providing recreational opportunities for our youth and enhancing our quality of life.”</p><p>Rabbitt’s candidacy has already picked up an important endorsement from the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. Although the district includes Petaluma and portions of Rohnert Park and Cotati, it is largely rural and spans the communities of Penngrove, Two Rock, Bloomfield and Valley Ford.</p>