New City Council Race, Supervisor Run-Off Face Sonoma Voters In November

SONOMA VALLEY, CA — Sonoma Valley voters embraced regional rail funding and reshaped local leadership on June 2, approving a decades-long extension of the SMART sales tax while sending two contenders into a high-stakes runoff to represent the valley on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.

The race to replace retiring District 2 Supervisor David Rabbitt advanced to a November showdown after no candidate captured a majority of the vote.

Joanna Paun finished first with about 37% of the vote, while Sylvia Lemus claimed the second runoff spot with about 25%. Candidates Shelina Moreda and John King trailed in the four-way contest.

The District 2 seat represents Sonoma Valley communities including Sonoma, Glen Ellen, Kenwood, Boyes Hot Springs, Agua Caliente, and surrounding areas.

The supervisor elected in November will help shape county policy on housing, transportation, wildfire preparedness, tourism, economic development, and public services.

The open seat attracted significant attention because it marks the end of Rabbitt's longtime tenure on the Board of Supervisors and offers voters a chance to influence the county's direction on some of the region's most pressing issues.

Meanwhile, voters across Sonoma and Marin counties approved Measure B, extending the quarter-cent Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit sales tax through 2059 and securing a major funding source for passenger rail operations, pathway construction, and transportation projects.

The measure drew strong support from Sonoma County voters, approving Measure B by a 70.33% to 29.67% margin. How many of the yes-or-no votes came from Sonoma Valley voters is not yet clear. The Registrar of Voters has not published an accessible precinct-level breakdown.

But, with Measure B approved and District 2 race headed to a runoff, Sonoma Valley voters delivered two decisions that will influence transportation and local government — as well as development, natural resources, industry, and transportation — for years to come.

Ahead of the general election, city officials launched an online District Finder tool to help residents find which city council district they live in as Sonoma transitions to district-based elections beginning in November 2026.

Beginning in 2026, Sonoma voters will elect City Council Members by district rather than at-large. Under the new election system:

• Districts 1, 3, and 5 will vote in November 2026
• Districts 2 and 4 will vote in November 2028

This alternating cycle will continue moving forward.

The District Finder is available on the Sonoma City Council Districts webpage.