Four Candidates Enter Healdsburg’s First District Election

HEALDSBURG, CA — Four candidates will contest Healdsburg's Nov. 3 City Council election, the first to elect members by district.

But only voters in Districts 2 and 4 will choose council members this year.

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Mayor Chris Herrod will seek a term in District 4, while Mathew Lopez, Scott Pratt, and Alex Wood will compete in District 2.

Healdsburg will elect representatives from Districts 1, 3, and 5 in 2028. Each councilmember will serve a four-year term.

District 2 includes a portion of downtown and has no incumbent within its boundaries. District 4 includes neighborhoods east of Healdsburg Avenue between Powell Avenue and Terrace Boulevard.

The candidates completed the qualification process between July 30 and Aug. 7. Herrod qualified July 30, Lopez qualified Aug. 3, Wood qualified Aug. 5, and Pratt qualified Aug. 7.

Campaign reports provide an early financial look at two candidates. Herrod reported $4,650 in contributions through June 30, while Pratt reported $3,297.87.

Lopez and Wood filed committee organization forms but had not filed Form 460 campaign disclosure reports by Jun 30, according to the city's campaign statements page.

Herrod, Healdsburg's current mayor, grew up in the city and graduated from Healdsburg High School. He earned a psychology degree from Sonoma State University and built a career in the stringed-instrument industry.

Before winning election to the council, Herrod served seven years on the Parks and Recreation Commission and twice served as its chair.

Lopez describes himself as a "teacher, coach, scientist, problem solver." The bilingual Spanish speaker says his work with Enso Village, Sonoma County Transit, Climate Action Healdsburg, and other volunteer groups keeps him connected to the community.

Lopez supports sustainable growth, smart city planning, new businesses, and improved transit. Voters can read more about Lopez's positions.

Pratt and his family have lived in Healdsburg since 2010 after moving from Southern California.

Pratt says his 35-year career in commercial production prepared him to confront difficult decisions and solve problems. His service on the Anderson Valley Housing Association board shaped his views on housing and community stability. .

He wants Healdsburg to take a stronger role in discussions surrounding the Potter Valley Project and the proposed Two Basin Solution. He also supports reconsidering the city's growth management ordinance to balance housing development with neighborhood preservation.

Wood graduated from Healdsburg High School and studied business, marketing, and Spanish at Santa Clara University. He has worked in agriculture, conservation, workforce development, and real estate, and he serves on the Healdsburg Planning Commission.

Wood lists infrastructure, attainable housing, small businesses, senior resources, parks, recreation, local food systems, arts, and culture among his priorities. His campaign website provides additional information.

Residents can use Healdsburg's district lookup map to determine which council race will appear on their ballot.