The June 2026 primary is 17 months from now.

Press release from the James Gore for State Senate campaign:

Sonoma County Supervisor and North Coast native son James Gore today announced his candidacy for California State Senate, District 2, to follow term-limited Senator Mike McGuire, who will be headed for another leadership position, as the North Coast’s next elected state leader. Gore cited the need for dramatic progress on California’s thorniest issues, and his record of bringing significant change at the local government level, as his prime reason for running.

“Two things light my world: my family and the call of public service. The mission of being a public servant, working relentlessly each day to deliver for our community, is a tremendous privilege.

“I’m running because our North Coast way-of-life is threatened by climate disasters, affordability issues, and a deepening divide between urban and rural community priorities,” said James. “Bold action is required, we need to do more than nibble around the edges.

“As your senator, I will tackle the problems plaguing California – housing, homelessness, cost of living, climate change, etc. – with the same gusto I’ve applied locally.

“As a county supervisor, collaboration has produced remarkable things,” continued Gore, who was a central figure in Sonoma County’s efforts to recover from a series of devastating wildfires in 2017, 2018, and 2020. “Working together, we’ve rebuilt Sonoma County, greatly enhanced our communities’ preparations for wildfire threats, and shared what we’ve learned with other communities.

“I’ll be a can-do senator who delivers for this district. I won’t disappear into the Sacramento abyss. I’ll be a loud voice for you and for change that makes your life better.”

Supervisor Gore’s home district was devastated by the October 2017 Northern California Fire Siege, where Sonoma County lost more than 5,300 homes. His leadership in the response helped galvanize his community towards a hard-wrought, successful recovery. As the wildfires, floods, droughts, pandemic, and other disasters have continued, James has stepped forward as a statewide and national champion on resiliency in the face of extreme weather and natural disasters.

Prior to his election to county supervisor in 2014, President Barack Obama appointed James as Assistant Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). There James led: nationwide conservation efforts at the intersection of agriculture, business, and the environment; expansion of services in persistent poverty areas; and efforts on climate change mitigation and the protection of Pacific salmon habitats.

Supervisor Gore has won the trust and support of his local government colleagues at the state and national levels having been elected to lead both the California State Association of Counties (2022-23) and the National Association of Counties (2024-current). In these positions, he has been the voice of advocacy at the state and national levels on a variety of local community needs.

Family and service intertwined during his Peace Corps service in the South American nation of Bolivia when James and his future wife, Elizabeth, met while helping local communities build water management systems, improve agricultural practices, and develop a campaign that linked seven isolated communities medical & dental care and education.

The Gore family has deep roots in Sonoma County going back several generations. James proudly hails from Healdsburg where he and his wife Elizabeth, co-founder of Hello Alice, live with their children. They are all avid outdoors people.

See James’ announcement video, which was sent to supporters this morning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQQIZzBD0jo

Learn more about his campaign at JamesGore4Senate.com