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.

Cotati’s City Hall’s plan to remake its downtown with $3.7 million in what were redevelopment funds have taken a blow with the state’s rejection of the city’s proposal.

As we noted in our April 1 editorial, we began interviewing candidates in the June 5 primary this week. We started by sitting down with those in the 2nd District congressional race.

Cotati’s ambitious plan to revitalize its downtown won the approval on Wednesday of officials charged with managing what were formerly redevelopment funds.

The script for North Coast congressional elections appears due for a major rewrite this year, with two Democrats likely to compete, for the first time ever, in an expensive and possibly vitriolic November runoff.

With little fanfare or discussion, Sebastopol has become the latest city in Sonoma County to lower a tax charged on most real estate transactions.

UPDATE 4:30 PM: Rep. Mike Thompson made it official Wednesday by filing for re-election to Congress, where he has served for the past 14 years. The veteran legislator is running in a new inland district that includes 58 percent of the voters in Sonoma County and is heavily tilted toward Democrats.

Leaders of the Sonoma County Democratic Party on Tuesday failed to endorse a candidate in the race for the open seat on the county Board of Supervisors. But the party did hand out endorsements for the Democratic incumbents in four state races and one congressional race. See who was annointed.

President Barack Obama outlined his plan to invigorate the economy Tuesday in a State of the Union speech. Some Sonoma County residents who watched it said it was inspirational. Others said it was filled with election-year promises that may not come to fruition. What’s your take? Would you vote to re-elect him in November?

Extended jobless benefits could end later this month, squeezing thousands of unemployed workers in Sonoma County who depend on the income to pay their bills. Republicans and Democrats in Congress can’t agree on terms of the extension, which now pays benefits to more than 300,000 of California’s long-term unemployed. What changes, if any, should be made?