Runoff likely in 5th District race

<p>Mendocino County's 5th District is awash with well-known, seasoned liberal candidates vying for a seat on the Board of Supervisors, making a November runoff nearly certain.</p><p>"The question is who will be in the runoff," said local political consultant Joe Wildman.</p><p>The 5th District candidates on the June 8 primary ballot include Dan Hamburg, a former congressman and county supervisor who made a run for governor on the Green Party ticket in 1998; Norman de Vall, who previously served on the board for 16 years; Jim Mastin, a former Ukiah mayor and onetime candidate for state Assembly; and political newcomer Wendy Roberts, a business consultant.</p><p>By 5th District standards, Roberts is considered somewhat conservative, which sets her apart from the other three, Wildman said.</p><p>He said he thinks she is likely to be in a runoff, but he wouldn't offer an opinion on which of the other three would qualify.</p><p>"These are three people with long histories in the community," he said.</p><p>Norman de Vall served as 5th District supervisor from 1979 to 1995. He joined the race last week after incumbent David Colfax announced he would not seek reelection.</p><p>Hamburg served on the board from 1981 to 1985. In 1992, he ran for Congress, unseating incumbent Frank Riggs, a Republican. Two years later, Riggs defeated Hamburg to reclaim the seat. Hamburg ran for governor of California on the Green Party ticket in 1998, receiving 1.3 percent of the vote.</p><p>Mastin served on the Ukiah City Council from 1993 to 2000. He was mayor from 1998 to 2000. In 2002, he ran in the Democratic primary election for the state Assembly's 1st District.</p><p>Roberts has not served as an elected government official, but, like the other three candidates, has been extensively involved with community activities and boards, including the Mendocino Historical Review Board.</p><p>Roberts should not be ruled out because she's less well-known than her opponents, said 3rd District Supervisor John Pinches. He said a candidate from the coast is more likely than not to win. That would be de Vall, who lives in Elk, or Roberts, who lives in Mendocino. Mastin and Hamburg live inland, near Ukiah.</p><p>The candidates all cite the continuing economic slump, budget deficit and environment as being among their major concerns.</p><p>Pinches' 3rd District seat also is on the June ballot. He faces Willits City Councilwoman Holly Madrigal and telecommunications businessman Tony Orth, also of Willits.</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Glenda Anderson at 462-6473 or glenda.anderson@pressdemocrat</p><p>.com.</p>