Council races set in eight Sonoma County cities

Luis Diaz, a dentist who helped lead Windsor's incorporation movement in the 1990s, recently moved back to town and is one of 10 candidates running for Town Council in the November election.

Diaz, 64, said his return in February was prompted by the loss of his Fountaingrove home in the October wildfires.

'I feel like one of the town fathers,' he said.

Incumbents Dominic Foppoli, Mark Millan and Sam Salmon are also running along with six other challengers: Billy Forrest, Gina Fortino Dickson, Dylan Harper, Esther Lemus, Tari Nix and Rosa Reynoza.

Wednesday was the final entry deadline for city council candidates around Sonoma County. The initial deadline on Friday was extended for races in which an incumbent declined to run.

In Rohnert Park, four candidates — including three political newcomers — will vie for two seats on the City Council after incumbent Amy Ahanotu chose not to run for re-election.

Incumbent Pam Stafford will be on the ballot with Susan Hollingsworth Adams, Gerard Giudice and Jackie Elward.

In Sebastopol, political newcomer Vaughn Richard Higginbotham is running against three incumbents: Patrick Slayter, Sarah Gurney and Una Glass.

In Petaluma, Mike Harris, Teresa Barrett and Brian Powell are running for mayor after David Glass declined to seek re-election.

Petaluma is the only Sonoma County city that directly elects a mayor.

Incumbent Dave King and six other people are running for three council seats: Scott Alonso, Robert Conklin, D'Lynda Fischer, Kevin McDonnell, Dennis Pocekay and Michael Regan.

Councilman Chris Albertson is not seeking re-election.

In Healdsburg, incumbent Councilwoman Leah Gold, Evelyn Mitchell and Tim Meinken are vying for two council seats.

Councilwoman Brigette Mansell, currently serving as mayor, is not running for re-election.

In Sonoma, incumbents Madolyn Agrimonti and Rachel Hundley are vying for three council seats, along with challengers Jack Ding, James Cribb, Logan Harvey, Chris Petlock and Jack Wagner. Agrimonti is serving as mayor, selected by the council.

Councilman Gary Edwards is not seeking re-election.

In Cotati, City Councilmen Mark Landman and John Moore are seeking re-election, with Neville Hormuz challenging them in the race for two seats.

In Cloverdale, incumbent Gus Wolter and five others — Shawn Bovee, Marta Cruz, Jon Lambert, Jason Turner and Michele Penirian Winterbottom — are vying for three City Council seats.

Joe Palla, serving as mayor, and Carol Russell, vice mayor, are not seeking re-election.

You can reach Staff Writer Guy Kovner at 707-521-5457.