Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Sonoma City Council Election 2026
1 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 3 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
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The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
City Council District 1
1 seat- Peggy HuttonSonoma business owner who ran a passive-cooling and energy-sustainability company for 25 years. She earned a business degree at Sonoma State University.5sourced
Julian MackieExecutive director of Sonoma Valley Commons, a nonprofit that preserves affordable housing. He holds a master's in public affairs from UC Berkeley and has been a neighborhood association president.5sourced
- Michael L. MenefeeRetired firefighter and paramedic who has lived in the Sonoma Valley since 1972. He has served on boards including the Sonoma League for Historic Preservation.2sourced
Voters elect one council member from their own district; only District 1 has a contest this year, and Districts 3 and 5 were filled by appointment.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
What the next council decides
01City budget and revenue2 sourced facts
Where it standsSonoma is working with a $1.1 million budget deficit, and the council raised its own monthly stipend in August 2026.
What's on the tableHow the city balances its budget, including whether to add visitor-related revenue.
- Candidates at the September 28 League of Women Voters forum discussed the city's $1.1 million budget deficit. Sonoma Index-Tribune · Sep 30, 2026
- The council voted 4-1 to raise council members' monthly stipends from $300 to $950, effective after the November election. Sonoma Index-Tribune · Aug 21, 2026
02Housing and development projects2 sourced facts
Where it standsDeveloper Tidewater Capital has proposed 46 homes on a 3-acre site including The General's Daughter.
What's on the tableHow the council weighs new housing and large redevelopment proposals against historic and neighborhood concerns.
- Tidewater Capital proposed 46 homes on the 3-acre site while preserving and relocating the historic 1864 Victorian house. Sonoma Index-Tribune · Sep 30, 2026
- The forum also covered the proposed Sebastiani Winery redevelopment and the now for-sale Montaldo Apartments project. Sonoma Index-Tribune · Sep 30, 2026
03Public safety and surveillance2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe Police Department has pledged to limit sharing of Flock Safety camera data to Northern California agencies.
What's on the tableHow the city uses and oversees surveillance cameras and prepares for wildfire.
- Mackie said he supported the Police Department's recent pledge to restrict sharing of Flock Safety data to Northern California law enforcement and emergency services agencies. Sonoma Index-Tribune · Sep 30, 2026
- A homicide at the Sonoma Plaza and the use of Flock cameras in the investigation prompted forum discussion of surveillance and public safety. Sonoma Index-Tribune · Sep 30, 2026
2 notes on these statements
Michael L. Menefee was not present at the September 28 League of Women Voters forum for District 1. Sonoma Index-Tribune · Sep 30, 2026
No sitting council member lives in District 1, so the seat will have a new member. Sonoma Index-Tribune · Aug 11, 2026
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Who matches you?
Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.
1. How should Sonoma close its budget deficit?
2. Should Sonoma build more housing?
3. What should the council do about the proposed General's Daughter redevelopment?
4. What should Sonoma do about Flock Safety surveillance cameras?
5. How should the city treat wildfire preparedness in its budget?
Key dates
- Vote-by-mail ballots begin shippingSonoma Index-Tribune · Aug 11, 2026Oct 5, 2026
- Last day to register to voteSonoma Index-Tribune · Aug 11, 2026Oct 19, 2026
- Early in-person voting begins at regional vote centersSonoma Index-Tribune · Aug 11, 2026Oct 24, 2026
- Election DaySonoma Index-Tribune · Aug 11, 2026Nov 3, 2026
The seat math
2 stay (not up this year): John Gurney, Ron Wellander1 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- Sonoma is electing council members by district for the first time; Districts 1, 3 and 5 are up in 2026 and Districts 2 and 4 in 2028. Press Democrat · Aug 11, 2026
- The council voted in August 2026 to appoint John Gurney (District 3) and Ron Wellander (District 5), the only nominees, so no election is held for those seats. City of Sonoma
- Council members elected in the district seats serve four-year terms. Sonoma Index-Tribune · Aug 21, 2026
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