Cotati Races

Results are a combination of data provided by the Associated Press (AP) and county election offices. The AP calls winners by analyzing vote tallies and other election data. Check marks are used to denote a winner only when the AP calls a race.

City Council

Top three candidates win seat.

Susan Harvey(incumbent)31.8%
2,434 votes
Laura Sparks29%
2,223 votes
Benjamin Ford27.8%
2,135 votes

Updated at 7:11 PM PT on Nov 26, 2024
Sonoma County

What does a council member do?

City and town council members can propose new city ordinances and vote on a range of issues, including housing development, business ventures and contracts. They also help draft the city or town budget.

Candidate Statements

Candidate Statements are excerpted from the statements provided to election offices, where available.

George Barich

  • Licensed contractor
  • Merge: “City Hall needs to be investigated by the FBI and Sonoma County Grand Jury before Cotati is forced to merge with Rohnert Park.”
  • Budget: “Our little government is flat broke and has not saved one dollar for a rainy day.” 
  • Transparency: “I will lead with common sense, intellectual honesty, and answer every phone call and email quickly.”

Susan Harvey

  • Cotati City Council Member
  • Infrastructure: “I have worked to ensure reasonably priced reliable water sources, environmentally responsible waste solutions, updated water and sewer infrastructure. In addition, I have championed efforts to improve our roads and parks.”
  • Budget: “I continue to ensure we have balanced budgets and a solid reserve for those unexpected events.”
  • Economic Growth: “With your support, I’ll continue working hard to protect our character while addressing affordable housing, engage our community, remain fiscally responsible and bring the right economic development to Cotati.”

Benjamin Ford

  • Mathematics professor
  • Accomplishments: “Fifteen-plus years of balanced budgets, a new model for residents to communicate and collaborate with police, widespread street improvements, and significant effort and investment to bolster housing development (affordable and market-rate) all point to the Council’s commitment to ensuring all residents feel well-served by the City.”
  • Potential: “I believe in Cotati and our potential to be leaders in the county as we work out approaches to local challenges.”
  • Collaboration: “I listen well and can find common ground among differing opinions.”

Laura Sparks

  • College astronomy instructor
  • Infrastructure: “This office comes with a steep learning curve. I have spent countless hours studying road maintenance, water and sewer systems, parks, City finances, and much more.”
  • Inclusivity: “In 2020, my top campaign priorities were affordable housing, climate and environment, and anti-racism.”
  • Language Accessibility: “I pushed to get Spanish bilingual preference and pay for police officers and dispatchers, and Spanish translation of City communications.”

More Results

All Sonoma County Elections

See results for all elections on the Sonoma County ballot.

Have a correction? Contact voterguide@kqed.org.