Gallian, Sanders file for council

Sonoma Mayor Joanne Sanders and City Council hopeful Laurie Gallian filed nomination papers yesterday for the Nov. 4 election – and if no one else follows suit by Wednesday, Sonoma could face its first civic non-contest in living memory.
The council’s five members serve overlapping four-year terms, with elections every two years, putting Sanders and incumbent Councilmember Stanley Cohen are up for re-election in November.
But in May, Cohen announced he wouldn’t seek a second term. With Gallian in the race, that makes two candidates for two seats. If no other nominees file by Wednesday at 5 p.m., the state Election Code gives the council the option of appointing Sanders and Gallian to the office.
Generally, Sonoma’s council race sees more candidates when an incumbent chooses not to run – 2002’s three-vacancy council election drew nine candidates, and 2004 and 2006 saw six people apiece vying for two seats.
“There has been some speculation that perhaps Stanley would change his mind due to the lack of people coming forward,” City Clerk Gay Rainsbarger said this morning. But Cohen reaffirmed his commitment to leaving office – though not without a tinge of regret.
“I’m hoping the theory that people will come in on Monday will be true otherwise we won’t have a selection,” Cohen said.