Noreen Evans’ return home fuels questions about her political future

Supporters of Noreen Evans are hosting what is billed as a retirement party for the state senator today in Sebastopol, even as speculation abounds that the Santa Rosa Democrat is eying a bid for the supervisorial seat representing western Sonoma County.

The speculation drew sharp criticism last week from the incumbent supervisor, Efren Carrillo, who stated in a text message that the district he represents “doesn’t need the kind of political job shopping we’ve seen lately with candidates moving around like post-Civil War carpetbaggers.”

His comments were a specific reference to Evans, who rents a home in Santa Rosa and would have to move into the 5th District in order to run.

Carrillo went further, stating in his text that there has been a recent trend of “career politicians” shopping around for offices.

“That’s not how local elected jobs should work,” he wrote. “It’s an insult to the people who actually live there.”

Evans did not respond to numerous interview requests last week. In May, she joined a chorus of elected officials who demanded that Carrillo resign from office after he was found not guilty of attempted peeking in a trial stemming from his July 2013 arrest outside a female neighbor’s home.

Evans accused Carrillo of “predatory” behavior and cited concerns for the security of all women and children who have contact with county services.

Evans chose not to seek a second Senate term in November, saying she wanted to return to practicing law. Supporters say she’s burned out by Sacramento politics and by the demands of having to represent the vast 2nd Senate District, which spans Sonoma County north to the Oregon border.

“I think she needs a break,” said county Supervisor Shirlee Zane, who is the master of ceremonies at today’s event, which is at Vine Hill House.

Zane, however, is among the senator’s longtime confidantes who say Evans may very well be tempted to seek the 5th District supervisorial seat in 2016, especially if Carrillo makes a bid for re-election.

“I think there would be a large group of people who would want her to run if he decided to run for re-election, and I think they would be very vocal about it,” Zane said.

Carrillo last week stated he has not made a decision whether to run again.

“I’m spending my time working on issues important to District 5, not worrying about who is going to be on the ballot in 2016,” he wrote in a text message.

Political observers predicted a contest between Evans and Carrillo would be bruising and expensive, and likely garner statewide attention.

“If she does run, it would be the premier local race in California. It would be that big,” said David McCuan, a political scientist at Sonoma State University.

He questioned whether Evans has the stomach for such a race, citing her current burnout and the fact she has never embraced retail electoral politics. But he said she could be lured by the perks of the supervisor’s job, which include an annual salary of $135,969 - about $40,000 higher than what she makes as a state senator - and retirement benefits. Plus, if Evans prevailed, she’d be able to affect policy at the local level.

“It’s the sweet spot in California politics,” McCuan said. “But does she really want to do that?”

In a rare political setback, Evans lost a 2000 primary for county supervisor to Tim Smith, the incumbent in the seat now held by Zane. Eight months later, Evans won election to her second term on the Santa Rosa City Council. She served three terms in the state Assembly before being elected to the Senate in 2010.

Terry Price, Evans’ longtime political consultant, said last week Evans has not informed him of her intention to run for county supervisor.

“But she’s savvy enough to never say never, because you never know how circumstances will change,” Price said.

According to the invitations, Sunday’s event is for the senator to “say farewell to public office,” and to raise money so that she can pay off her final campaign debt. Tickets range from $25 for individuals to $2,500 for sponsorships.

Sponsors lined up as of Thursday included several labor organization and current and former elected officials, including Sonoma County Supervisor Susan Gorin and former Assemblyman Michael Allen. Sonoma County Supervisor Mike McGuire, who is seeking to replace Evans in the Senate, also is a sponsor through his campaign.

It’s unclear how much campaign debt Evans has.

Her 2014 Senate campaign was nearly $20,000 in debt with no cash on hand when she terminated the account in December 2013, state campaign finance records show. But that amount may not reflect bills that have yet to be submitted, McCuan said.

“There’s no way to ascertain that her pollster or campaign manager has $300,000 in bills that they haven’t submitted yet. All we see is cash on hand,” he said.

McCuan said Evans is legally obligated to settle the debt, but that there is no real recourse for anyone to go after her if she does not do so. However, he said many politicians make good on campaign debt because “it’s good business.”

You can reach Staff Writer Derek Moore at 521-5336 or derek.moore@press?democrat.com. On Twitter? @deadlinederek.