The stage is set for Healdsburg’s Nov. 8 city council election to fill two four-year terms and a single two-year term. The winner of the shorter one will serve out the remainder of the term Skylaer Palacios won in 2020 and resigned from in May.
The initial filing deadline of Aug. 12 applied only to the two-year seat, as incumbent Ozzy Jimenez did not file to run. Jimenez was appointed in 2020 to replace Leah Gold, who resigned.
It will be at least a three-way race for the shorter stint, but the door is still open for more candidates to file for two full-term seats that are open. The filing deadline was extended to Aug. 17 when Jimenez opted out. As the Tribune goes to press, only two candidates have completed the filing process for the two seats.
As of Aug. 12, three candidates filed for the two-year seat’s race—former City Council member Brigette Ann Mansell, chef Ron Edwards and Healdsburg-native Matias Lopez Jr.
Mansell, 61, was first elected to the council in 2014, and served a full four years while teaching public high school English at Maria Carrillo High, and is now a substitute teacher in Healdsburg schools. During her term, she was selected by her peers as mayor for 2018.
Edwards, 63, retired from his catering company Classic Kitchens Associates three years ago. He and his wife have lived in Healdsburg since 1993. He chose to run for the two-year seat to become fully versed in Healdsburg issues, although he has been an engaged citizen since he retired.
Lopez, 23, attended Healdsburg public schools throughout his youth and was a standout athlete at HHS. He is taking time off from pursuing a graduate degree from the University of Connecticut and chose to return to Healdsburg to become more involved in city politics.
Those candidates who have filed for the two full four-year terms are Evelyn Mitchell, an incumbent; Chris Herrod, a parks and recreation commissioner; retired financial advisor Linda Cade; and local business owner Susan Graf, the last to file on the Aug 17 deadline.
All will have the chance to state their interests, qualifications and merits in subsequent articles in the Healdsburg Tribune. Mail-in voting can begin as soon as Oct. 10, and vote-by-mail ballots can be picked up that day from the Registrar of Voters Office in Santa Rosa.
