Valerie Brown backs Bramfitt in Supes race

First District Supervisor Valerie Brown, who is stepping down at the end of her current term, has endorsed Mark Bramfitt in the race to succeed her on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.

“I have known and worked with Mark Bramfitt for many years,” said Supervisor Valerie Brown. “He is thoughtful, skilled, articulate, passionate and he’ll make a great representative for the Sonoma Valley on the Board of Supervisors.

Bramfitt is a 23-year Sonoma Valley resident who has served as an elected member of the Valley of the Moon Water District for 11 years. He worked with Brown as a member of the Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Council and was her choice to chair the Sonoma Valley Groundwater Basin Advisory Panel.

“I am humbled and honored to have the support from Supervisor Valerie Brown,” said Bramfitt.

Bramfitt is one of five declared candidates in the race to represent Sonoma Valley. Redistricting has pushed the District 1 boundaries into eastern Santa Rosa, inviting three candidates from that area, including Santa Rosa councilmembers Susan Gorin and John Sawyer.

Brown said it is vital that the post be held by someone who lives in the Sonoma Valley. She said that residents of Santa Rosa are already well represented by the city council and with two residents on the Board of Supervisors. “To take care of many of their needs, most Sonoma Valley residents rely primarily on the board,” she said, “and there’s no question Mark Bramfitt is my first and only choice.”

Also in the race are Keith Rhinehart, who lives north east of Santa Rosa, and Gina Cuclis, the only other Sonoma Valley resident in the field.

“I did not expect, nor did I seek, Valerie Brown’s endorsement,” Cuclis told The Sun. “It’s not surprising she endorsed who she did. It’s common knowledge they have a friendship that goes back years.”

Brown announced in August that she would not seek reelection.