Residents in the half of Sonoma Valley running from Boyes Hot Springs through Kenwood will have a new assemblymember by the end of this year. Five candidates — three Democrats and two Republicans — are running to replace 4th District Assemblymember Mariko Yamada, who is termed out. The top two finishers in Tuesday’s primary will proceed to a run-off in November.
The 4th assembly district is geographically and culturally diverse, stretching from the City of Rohnert Park east to the City of Davis encompassing all of Napa, Lake and Yolo counties and parts of Sonoma, Solano and Colusa counties. To represent this district well requires a very experienced public servant with a track record of working with a variety of constituencies. This is why we are endorsing moderate Democrat, Bill Dodd.
Dodd is a four term Napa County Supervisor. He was elected in 2000 and has run unopposed ever since. Among his accomplishments was spearheading the Napa River flood control and restoration project which strengthened Napa’s downtown economy, protected businesses from devastation and restored important wetlands. Dodd is also on the powerful Metropolitan Transportation Commission and recently served two years as its chair. As a member of the MTC he secured $76 million to widen Jamieson Canyon. Before becoming a county supervisor, Dodd was in business for 25 years running a full-service Culligan Water operation.
Dodd is also the only candidate who is not a Yolo County resident. We believe this is another reason he is the best fit for Sonoma Valley and Sonoma County. Despite Sonoma and Napa counties’ friendly rivalry, we have much in common with our wine and tourism based economies.
Regarding Dodd’s opponents, the district’s two to one Democrat over Republican registration means it’s nearly impossible for a Republican to win. The other two Democrats in the race are on the Davis City Council. Davis Mayor Joe Krovoza has an impressive record; however, other than attending one candidates’ forum, he has been absent from Sonoma Valley indicating our corner of the district is of little importance to him. Dan Wolk, who has only been on the city council for two years, is the least experienced of the three Democrats. He lacks a record to show us whether he’s capable.
We recommend Bill Dodd as the best choice to be our next assemblymember representing the northern half of Sonoma Valley.
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