Many District 4 voters still don’t know there is only one Democrat in this race. The Republican Party has endorsed my opponent.

I need your help to tell them, now.

This race comes down to real differences:

Land use. I’ll defend our urban growth boundaries, community separators, and farmland, and keep growth inside our cities, where it uses less water and infrastructure.

Our environment. I’ll protect the Russian River, stand against renewed gravel mining, and expand park and river access in north county.

Working families. My opponent focuses on cutting red tape for housing. I start with wages that haven’t kept up with costs, protecting residents from Trump's budget cuts, and protecting our immigrant neighbors from ICE.

I'm the only Democratic candidate running to represent the people of District 4 on the Board of Supervisors. I'm a proud Democrat. I've spoken out against ICE's lawless tactics under the Trump administration. As Supervisor, I'll keep fighting for Sonoma County residents and against the Trump agenda. 

My opponent lists his party as No Party Preference. But the party of Donald Trump clearly prefers him.


Our campaign is built around a broad coalition and grassroots support, not corporate PAC money.

Here's where we stand

This summer, 129 people made 172 contributions to our campaign. More than 91% of our money came from individuals, where 81% of my opponent's money came from organizations. Our five largest donors accounted for about 22%, and the rest came from neighbors in Cloverdale, Healdsburg, Windsor, Geyserville, Santa Rosa and across Sonoma County, giving what they could, investing a little of themselves into this campaign.

SMART’s decision to add a future Geyserville station to its program is welcome news for a community that has waited nearly 70 years for the return of passenger rail, and it is another important step toward the regional transportation system North Sonoma County deserves.

For me, this issue is personal. During my years on the Cloverdale City Council, I represented North County on regional transportation boards, including serving as Vice Chair of both the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit Board and the Sonoma County Transportation Authority/Regional Climate Protection Authority.

That experience reinforced something I have believed throughout my public service: transportation does not stop at city limits. Where people live, where they work, where they go to school, and where they receive health care are often in different communities. We need to plan accordingly.

That is why I have consistently supported completing SMART north to Cloverdale, expanding bicycle and pedestrian connections, improving bus service, and solving the “last-mile” problem that too often keeps people from using public transportation even when a rail or bus line is nearby.

The proposed Geyserville station fits directly into that vision.

"The evidence supports that Bagby did not act with an intent to conceal or deceive, Bagby timely and correctly disclosed their financial interests..."
-FPPC Report

I accept full responsibility for two conflict-of-interest violations arising from votes I cast while serving on the Sonoma Clean Power Board of Directors and the Cloverdale City Council.

The violations involved contracts with two companies that had also paid Sirius Mobile Solutions, the small IT business I own with my husband. I should have recognized those financial relationships and recused myself from the votes. I acknowledge that responsibility and accept the FPPC’s findings and the resulting penalty.

I'm Endorsing Parks Measure M Renewal, and I'm Asking You to Join Me

As someone who spent eight years on the Cloverdale City Council and served as Mayor, I saw firsthand what happens when parks funding dries up. You make tough calls: fix the pothole or maintain the park? Fund essential services or hire a groundskeeper?

That's why I'm endorsing the renewal of Sonoma County's Parks Improvement, Water Quality, and Fire Safety Measure on the November ballot.

Read the article at The Press Democrat

At last week's League of Women Voters forum, the three candidates vying for Sonoma County's 4th District Supervisor seat faced pressing questions about water, climate, immigration, and law enforcement oversight. The difference was clear: I came prepared with real answers grounded in experience and values, not platitudes.

While my opponents talked about partnering with big business and easing development regulations that protect Sonoma County’s residents and its environment, I told voters how I will continue to fight for working families. While my opponents focused on their resumes, I focused on what I’ll do for Sonoma County. Going forward, this race—and your vote—should not be based on hollow platitudes, but on experience and values. This forum shed light on a different set of values for the candidates in this race. 

Watch the League of Women Voters Sonoma County Board of Supervisors District 4 Candidate Forum

After two terms serving on Cloverdale City Council, Melanie Bagby is aiming for higher office.

Bagby, 57, has announced her plans to run for Sonoma County’s 4th District supervisor seat, becoming the third candidate to enter what is shaping up to be the first competitive race the district has seen in a decade.

Bagby, a former Cloverdale mayor, previously served seven years on the Cloverdale Planning Commission. While a councilmember, she sat on various regional boards including for Sonoma-Marin Area Transit, Sonoma County Transportation Authority/Regional Climate Protection Authority, Sonoma Clean Power and the Russian River Watershed Association.

She’s making that regional experience a central part of her bid to represent the huge 4th District, which stretches from northern Santa Rosa to the Mendocino County line