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McGuire wins north county supes seat
Sonoma County supervisor candidate Mike McGuire and his fiance Erika Fremault cheer as they watch the election results update on Tuesday night. (CHRIS CHUNG/PD)
By CLARK MASON
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Healdsburg Councilman Mike McGuire won the race for North County supervisor Tuesday night with a strong showing over challenger Deborah Fudge.
McGuire took 61.8 percent of the vote, while Fudge, a Windsor councilwoman, captured 37.8 percent with all precincts reporting.
While McGuire was cautious about declaring victory on Tuesday night until all the votes were counted, he said, “We are very excited and honored by the amazing support we have received. … It’s looking very positive.”
McGuire campaign adviser Jason Liles said the only way the outcome could change would be a mistake in the early vote tally.
“Mike doesn’t want to call anything. He’s very conservative. But I’m happy,” Liles said.
Sonoma County Supervisor candidate Debora Fudge is hugged by supporter Don Albini as she arrives at her campaign party at KC's Downtown Grill, in Windsor's Town Green, on Tuesday. (CHRISTOPHER CHUNG/PD)
Fudge conceded that she could not overcome McGuire’s lead. “I would say the point spread at 11 tonight looks insurmountable to make up,” she said.
Fudge said she and her campaign workers were “stunned” at the lopsided result.
During the campaign Fudge, 54, stressed her experience and track record while McGuire, 30, touted on-the-job achievements and fresh approaches.
Despite his youth, McGuire pointed to his decade in public service, beginning with his election to the Healdsburg school board when he was 19, serving as school board president, and being elected to the Healdsburg City Council and serving as mayor.
“I have a track record of creating jobs, improving local schools, of environmental protection and a track record of setting and balancing nine tough budgets,” he said. “It’s about leadership, energy, ideas and hard work.”
Fudge stressed her record of accomplishment while serving 14 years on the Windsor Town Council and multiple times as mayor.
“I built a whole downtown,” she said of her tenure on the council. She added that she helped form a regional climate protection authority, create solar energy jobs, chairs the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit district and helped run the annual clean-up of the Russian River for the past 21 years.
Mary Steil of Santa Rosa, voted for McGuire on Tuesday because she liked his youth.
“I don’t hold it against him. I think he has a passion for what he does. I admire that,” said Steil, 56, an educator and small business owner.
She said she believes McGuire would do more to support business and associates Fudge with “over the top” environmentalism.
“I kind of like the kid. He seems to be more interested in developing jobs,” agreed Bill Hansen, a semi-retired Santa Rosa real estate investor who also was voting at a northwest Santa Rosa polling place in the Fourth District. While he gave Fudge credit for “doing a good job” with Windsor’s Town Green, he said “we need more corporation-type business to put people to work — more diversification.”
But Jill Nussinow, a Santa Rosa Junior College culinary teacher, was drawn to Fudge’s “progressive” record and because she was endorsed by the Sierra Club.
Other voters also said they were for Fudge because she was “environmentally conscious.”
Nussinow said Fudge’s gender was also a reason to vote for her. “I like women. They think things through. They don’t have as much testorone,” Nussinow said.
But Janice Bercut, a Sonoma County courts supervisor, said McGuire was “very pro-union, pro-labor,” and one of the candidates SEIU supported.
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Mike and Erica, thanks for hanging in there. I now know I have yet another friend on the BOS and one who will work so very hard to get our economy moving again. Employed people make jobs like mine so much easier. Congratulations hardly begins to say it all.
Alix Shor
I went to college with Mike, I’m not at all suprised. Congrats to him, I look forward to seeing what he does as a Supervisor.
Now she can remove that ugly, defacing sign from out beautiful hillside. How environmentally “sensitive” she is…NOT!
A MILLION – NO A ZILLION CONGRATULATIONS ON A RACE WELL RUN AND DESERVEDLY WON!
Mike is the reassuring ray of sunshine in the political arena and provides many people hope that integrity and hard work really do shine.
Now take a rest, Mike – the real work lies ahead of you.
I think Mike won this because of his exuberance and his willingness to hit the pavement. He came to my door twice to introduce himself and talk about the issues. The only thing I got from Deb was a mailer for a \Wine and Fudge\ event that came off as a little elitist and out of touch with the general public, especially given the economic environment.
Be happy that the Sierra-Club backed Fudge didn’t win. She would probably drive all landfills out of this county. Oh wait…the liberals already did!
Boo!
So Deborah Fudge said she???? built downtown Windsor??? I don’t think so. How prideful of her to say that. ALOT of people built this wonderful town of Windsor. Not Deborah Fudge
1st order of business, take the OBNOXIOUSLY HUGE hillside white letters off.
Thank god this chapter is in the books.
Congratulations, Mike! District 4 has just gained the hardest working Supervisor ever. Healdsburgs loss is District 4′s gain.
Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to go, Mike! yaaahhhooo ….
“I built a whole downtown.”
Statements like that are why you lost.
Mike you’re awesome! All the hard work and the dedication (and knocking on wood) has paid off! Congrats my friend :)
Congratulations, Mike!