Windsor Councilwoman will compete with two Healdsburg residents
Windsor Councilwoman Deb Fudge is officially running for County Supervisor.
Fudge released a statement on Nov. 18 saying she has the skills, experience and desire to represent residents of northern Sonoma County on the board.
“As a member of the Windsor Town Council with a background in city planning, I helped lead the transformation of Windsor, creating a downtown and town green that has won national and regional awards for its design and functionality,” she said in the statement. “I’d like to take that experience to the county Board of Supervisors to help solve our pressing problems like protecting our environment, fixing our roads, boosting agriculture and investing in economic development.”
The 2014 election will be Fudge’s third attempt at the supervisor’s seat following a narrow loss to Paul Kelly and later to McGuire. She said this time, her campaign has learned several lessons from her past runs and that the time is right for her to succeed.
“This is a whole new campaign,” she said. “It’s a new team and we’re taking it to a higher level. It’s already strong and my official kickoff will be December 13 at Connie Codding’s house.”
Fudge said she never lost her desire to serve residents at the county level and that she has stayed involved in county issues throughout her political career.
“I have been looking at this seat on the Board of Supervisors since 2002,” she said. “It’s always been a passion of mine to serve as an elected official for the entire county … When I look at the field, I am far and away the most experienced candidate. I think I’d make the most experienced supervisor. I’ve got a very long track record of success in this county.”
Fudge said her decision to run was also prompted by current fourth district supervisor Mike McGuire’s plan to run for state senate. McGuire announced his candidacy for the state office following the unexpected retirement of current senator Noreen Evans. McGuire will be unable to run for both seats simultaneously and the open Supervisor seat has drawn interest from several potential candidates.
Fudge was one of several individuals rumored to be interested in the seat and is the second to officially enter the race. Healdsburg resident Pete Foppiano has also announced his plan to run for the seat. Foppiano is a native Healdsburg resident who owns a mortgage lending and real estate firm in Healdsburg and has spent years in both the public spotlight and volunteering behind the scenes with local non-profits and organizations. He served on the Healdsburg City Council from 1984 to 1996, twice as Mayor.
Healdsburg resident James Gore has also announced plans to run for the supervisor’s seat.
Cloverdale City Councilwoman Carol Russell has officially decided against a run for the seat. She was contemplating “tossing her cane into the race” last month, but said last week that though she is grateful to have been met with support, she has decided against running for Supervisor.
“In addition to always taking due care when making a decision that affects not just me but also those who work with and support me, an additional consideration has come up. A few weeks ago an unresolved family situation was brought to my attention. While it will not hamper my city council work, try as my family and I may, I do not feel I can promise my usual 110 percent to a new campaign in the coming critical weeks,” she said.
Fudge is also a long-serving town councilmember with 17 years experience in Windsor including five terms as mayor.
Her long career in public service was cited by several of her early endorsements
“In her 17 years on the Windsor Town Council, Deb Fudge has proven she has vision, expertise in planning, and the ability to get things done,” said retiring State Senator Noreen Evans in a statement. “Deb helped lead the transformation of Windsor from an exit on the freeway to a town with a heart. She will be a dynamic addition to the Board of Supervisors.”
Former Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey cited Fudge’s leadership with the SMART train.
“Deb Fudge was someone I counted on for accurate common sense advice on issues in northern Sonoma County when I was in Congress,” she said in a statement. “Her leadership at SMART has been instrumental in making sure the train is built on time and on budget. I can think of no one better to serve northern Sonoma County of the Board of Supervisors than Deb Fudge.”
Healdsburg Mayor Susan Jones said she supported Fudge.
“As the Mayor of Healdsburg, I’ve gotten to know Deb Fudge and I believe she’ll make a great member of the Board of Supervisors,” she said in a statement. “Deb will have the whole district’s interests at heart as we work together on tackling our transportation problems, attracting jobs to Sonoma County, and cleaning up the Russian River Watershed.”
