Mailboxes both actual and virtual have been bursting with colorful leaflets both extolling candidates and vilifying their opponents in recent weeks as the clock ticks down to Tuesday, June 2, when voting officially concludes at 8pm. That means the election is now: a statewide direct primary, deciding several local races and a handful of initiatives, will winnow down offices with multiple candidates to the two major parties or vote-getters for a general election decision in November.
The entire first page of the ballot lists 61 candidates for governor; however only the top two vote-getters will advance to the general election in November (unless 50% or more choose a particular candidate, which seems unlikely). The candidates are not listed alphabetically or by party affiliation, so it may take some hunting to find a preferred contender.
State offices on the ballot include US Representatives for the redrawn CA-1 and CA-2 seats. The sitting congressman in CA-2 is Jared Huffman, and the fourth district is Mike Thompson.
There is no US Senate race, but there are several somewhat confusing contests for three congressmen that each in part represent Sonoma County. Mike Thompson is the current officeholder for the 4th Congressional District, which includes all or parts of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo Counties. His redrawn district has introduced a new challenge to the usual easy re-election of the incumbent.
Similarly, Jared Huffman represents the 2nd Congressional District which spans the North Coast, from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border. He has been Healdsburg’s congressman since 2013, but he loses the area in the new maps while retaining much of his familiar turf.
All of this redistricting was approved by the state’s voters who passed Proposition 50 on Nov. 4, 2025, authorizing the state to use a new congressional map. Prop 50 was pushed by Gov. Newsom to counteract redistricting in Texas that created five new potentially Republican seats there.
District 1
In our region, the most impacted district becomes CA-1, traditionally held by Republican Doug LaMalfa or others of his party. He passed away early this year, and a special election was called to fill the vacant seat for Aug. 4.
But it’s the new CA-1 that is on the primary ballot, not the old CA-1. On this ballot, Mike McGuire is facing off against two other Democratic candidates, including Audrey Denny of Chico who ran twice against LaMalfa, as well as Republican James Gallagher and two no-party-preference candidates. In the six-candidate race. If no candidate gets a majority, the top two will face off in the Nov. 3 general election
Mike McGuire—for whom the redrawn CA-01 seems custom-made, incorporating as it does the populous Santa Rosa area into a largely rural district—announced he would run for the old CA-01 as well as the new one. Though he does not live in the old district, the US Constitution does not require a congressman to live in the district he represents, only in the state. Conceivably, this means he could become a congressman in August, should he win.
Other state-level choices include the district 2 State Senate seat currently held by McGuire. Contesting to succeed him are Democrat Damon Connolly of Marin County, and Republicans Aaron Smith and Tief Giffs.
The 2nd district State Assembly seat is also up for a rematch between Republican Michael Greer and Democrat Chris Rogers, who won the first time in 2024.
Other Healdsburg-area ballot choices include for 4th district Supervisor for Sonoma County, currently held by James Gore. Three candidates have been campaigning hare for the past few months—including former Santa Rosa police chief Tom Schwedhelm; and Todd Lands and Melanie Bagby, both current or former Cloverdale City Council members. Results from the June 2 primary may therefore require a run-off in November.
Other state officers on the ballot include Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Controller, Treasurer and insurance Commissioner.
There is only one initiative on the ballot, Measure B. It would renew the quarter-cent sales tax that is allocated to SMART for another 30 years.
Now Voting
Voting is now underway in the Statewide Direct Primary election. Ballots can be filled out at home and filed by mail (an envelope accompanied every ballot mailed to eligible voters) or delivered to an official drop box.
In Healdsburg, it’s at the Abel De Luna Community Center, 1557 Healdsburg Ave, available every day until June 2 at 8pm.
Mail-in ballots (formerly known as absentee ballots) must be postmarked on or before June 2 to be valid, sent to Sonoma County Registrar of Voters, 3880 Brickway Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95403.
