Santa Rosa voters in District 4 are deciding between a retired Oakland firefighter turned planning commissioner and a retired operations manager with deep ties to local Democratic politics, in what stands as the city's only contested council race this November. Terry Sanders, 57, and Melanie Jones-Carter, 71, are campaigning for a seat representing McDonald Avenue, Junior College, Hidden Valley and Fountaingrove, with the city's multimillion-dollar budget deficit looming over nearly every issue in the race.
District 4 covers neighborhoods that include McDonald Avenue, Junior College, Hidden Valley and Fountaingrove, according to The Press Democrat. Election Day is scheduled for Nov. 3, according to the City of Santa Rosa, which notes that District 4 is one of three council seats — alongside Districts 2 and 6 — up for election this cycle, with winners serving terms through December 2030. Mayor Mark Stapp and Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie are both running unopposed, leaving District 4 as the lone contest on the municipal ballot. The seven-member council comes with a minimum monthly stipend of $1,480 plus city-paid benefits for its members.
Jones-Carter is retired after more than 30 years in business operations and management work, including stints as operations manager for Stanford University's dining services department and as a purchaser for Santa Rosa-based Dynatex International. She currently chairs the city's design review and preservation board, is second vice chair of the Sonoma County Democratic Central Committee, and is a delegate for Sonoma County Democrats. She has said her work on the design board, along with a desire for a progressive voice in District 4, spurred her to run.
A Budget Deficit Shadows Both Campaigns
Santa Rosa faces a deficit exceeding $14 million if voters reject Measure L, the half-cent sales tax increase on the Nov. 3 ballot, and city officials have said the shortfall would require deep cuts to police and fire departments, which together account for more than two-thirds of the general fund — the city's main source of operating money. The city is already working through what the Press Democrat's endorsement board described as a multi-year, multimillion-dollar operating deficit, with the tax increase projected to generate roughly $23 million for the city if it passes.
Both candidates back Measure L, though with caveats. Jones-Carter supports it despite acknowledging that high prices already burden residents, saying controlling the budget deficit is her top priority to avoid further cuts and diminished services. She has said that even if the measure passes, the city would only stay afloat financially — not solve its deeper problems. Sanders, who said he is not generally a fan of tax increases, called Measure L necessary to avoid serious losses, but added that future spending must not create a new deficit if the half-cent increase passes and that any new spending should be temporary and produce a substantial return. He also warned a higher sales tax could disadvantage downtown merchants, since shoppers and diners sometimes already pay for parking.
Housing, Downtown and Immigration Policy
Jones-Carter has proposed down-payment and mortgage assistance. She has also proposed a program giving prospective businesses pop-up opportunities to test ventures without the overhead of an immediate brick-and-mortar lease. She has also said Santa Rosa should capitalize more on its proximity to area wineries, arguing the city has lost pace with Healdsburg, Windsor and Sonoma as a hub for wine lovers, and she supports more live entertainment downtown, including changing how the stage at Old Courthouse Square is used — currently erected for each Wednesday night market during summer and then taken down.
Sanders has said Santa Rosa should take simple beautification steps to attract younger families and wants the city to be a place younger families choose to move to.
On immigration, the Santa Rosa City Council adopted an ordinance earlier in 2026 limiting how immigration officers can use city buildings and parking lots. According to the City of Santa Rosa, the measure establishes that civil immigration enforcement is not a city purpose and bars officials from allowing city property to be used in ways that disrupt operations or discourage access to city services, unless the use clearly serves a municipal function; it does not apply to property open for general public use. The city has separately stated that while it cannot prevent federal immigration enforcement from occurring, Santa Rosa Police Department policy and California law prohibit department cooperation in immigration operations, according to the city's page on support for immigrant communities.
Fundraising and Endorsements
As of the campaign disclosure forms updated Sept. 19, Jones-Carter had raised $30,037 in contributions, compared with $18,178 for Sanders.
Sanders has collected endorsements from Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, council members Eddie Alvarez and Dianna MacDonald, four Sonoma County supervisors, Sheriff Eddie Engram, and several labor and trade organizations. Jones-Carter has endorsements from state officials, county supervisors, the Sonoma County Democratic Party, Latino PAC of Sonoma County and labor groups. Fleming, who announced earlier this year she would not seek reelection, endorsed Jones-Carter. The Press Democrat's editorial board has also recommended a yes vote for Jones-Carter, citing her operations experience and her housing and mental-health proposals, which include expanding mental health and substance rehabilitation resources and the city's InRESPONSE team.
Candidates With Local Roots
Sanders is a retired Oakland firefighter who has served on the Santa Rosa planning commission since losing the District 4 race in 2022. His own Fountaingrove home burned in the 2017 fire, according to the Press Democrat's endorsement piece. He is a former chair of the Luther Burbank Rose Parade. He has said his time on the planning commission taught him more about how city government works.
Jones-Carter rallied with about 50 volunteer canvassers at her Junior College neighborhood home earlier this month, and has said she is ready to work for Santa Rosa and tries to solve whatever problems are presented to her. More information on each campaign is available through Jones-Carter's campaign website and through Sanders' campaign website, www.voteterrysanders.com.
