The company behind the only residential housing developments in Rohnert Park in the past 12 years is back with a project that would punctuate a sore chapter for the city.

Political consultant Paul Andersen of Petaluma said Monday he is responsible for an anonymous website that posted criticisms of congressional candidate Stacey Lawson.

Sonoma County voters on Tuesday will begin the process of replacing retiring Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey and filling a heavily contested Assembly seat, likely creating first-ever runoffs between two Democrats. In addition, with new district boundaries in force for the first time, voters will have a say in four other races for Congress, the Assembly and state Senate. Tuesday’s election, the first statewide vote under California’s top two primary system, is expected to set up three November run-offs between two Democrats instead of a Democrat and a Republican.

Candidates in the North Coast race to replace Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey are on pace to break local fundraising records as political newcomer Stacey Lawson closes the gap on Assemblyman Jared Huffman. She loaned herself $100,000, saying she must prepare for negative attack ads. Author Norman Solomon is in third place in the money race.

At least six of the eight Democrats and the two independents running in a new the North Coast congressional district want marijuana — a crop worth an estimated $14 billion a year in California — approved for recreational use by adults. The two Republicans are opposed to legalization, but one of them says pot penalties are excessive.

In the North Coast’s congressional race, it all comes down to second place. The June 5 primary election will narrow the field of 12 candidates down to two finalists, who will compete in November for the $174,000-a-year job awarded by about 400,000 registered voters from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border.

Emotions in Sonoma County ranged from elation and praise to resigned acceptance after President Barack Obama announced Wednesday that he supports same-sex marriage. Advocates were exhilarated that Obama declared his support after remaining elusive on the topic for years. And opponents, while disagreeing with Obama’s position, said they were not surprised.

Political newcomer Stacey Lawson is drawing much of the attention – and controversy – in a crowded Congressional race. First, her blog posts disappeared from a website. Now she’s fending off attacks on her record as a businesswoman and as a voter.

The gloves came off in a North Coast congressional candidates’ forum Tuesday night as two of the Democrats assailed fellow Marin County candidate Stacey Lawson over her voting record and business background.

Assemblyman Jared Huffman has maintained his fundraising lead in the crowded race for the North Coast seat in Congress that seems likely to set a campaign spending record of $3 million or more for the region.