Stretching from the north edge of Santa Rosa to the Mendocino County line, the 4th District presents unique political challenges and possibilities for its next supervisor.
The withering effects of a three-year drought are being felt there more than in any other region of Sonoma County, capped by a state order delivered last week to hundreds of water-rights holders prohibiting water diversions in the upper Russian River watershed.
Vineyards and wineries in the northern county are vital to the agricultural economy, and the region's streams provide critical habitat for salmon, a resource with vast commercial and environmental value. Conflicts between these interests are nothing new.
The 4th District is home to the county's first tribal casino and, with the Dry Creek Pomos' failure to make a May debt payment, it's also the first with a financially troubled casino.
The geothermal power plants at The Geysers may help determine the success of the county's fledgling green-energy program.
Windsor is a blooming bedroom community, Healdsburg a tourist destination. Both are awaiting the promised arrival of SMART rail, as is Cloverdale at the north end of the county.
And all three cities, and the unincorporated areas surrounding them, have an enormous stake in the ongoing shake-out of fire protection districts and volunteer fire companies throughout the county.
In short, there's plenty of ground to cover before Nov. 4, when voters will choose someone to succeed Mike McGuire on the Board of Supervisors.
Deb Fudge and James Gore finished first and second in Tuesday's closely contested primary election. This gives them five more months to present themselves and their ideas for addressing 4th District issues as well as countywide concerns such as economic development, road maintenance, fluoridation of public water supplies and unfunded pension liabilities.
We didn't recommend Fudge or Gore in the primary, but not because they aren't qualified. Both of them are: Fudge is a five-term councilwoman in Windsor, a SMART director and a veteran of Russian River watershed restoration efforts; Gore held appointed positions in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, represented California ag interests in Washington and work on irrigation and hygiene programs for the Peace Corps.
In the primary, however, they settled quickly into familiar factional roles — Gore touting his ties to business and agriculture, Fudge doing the same with environmental groups and organized labor, each identifying problems, neither offering detailed solutions. It wasn't clear if, when or under what circumstances either was prepared to take a stance contrary to their allies.
Gore and Fudge won't have the stage to themselves in the fall, sharing the ballot with state offices, city council contests and propositions. But with crucial district issues, and candidates who insist they have no interest in higher office, the supervisorial race is probably the most important for north county voters.
Fudge and Gore still must explain how they would address those challenges.
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