Mary Burke’s Campaign for 5th District Supervisor Gains Momentum with Key Regional Endorsements; Aiming for a Potentially First-Ever Female Majority on Humboldt Board of Supervisors

From Mary Burke/March 30, 2026, 3:47 p.m.

In honor of Women’s History Month and the 2026 national theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” Mary Burke is proud to announce a slate of endorsements from women leaders across the 5th District and Humboldt County.

“I’ve chosen to start my endorsement campaign with inspiring women who have spent countless hours in service to their communities,” said Mary Burke. “Leadership can look like a very public role, speaking on behalf of the County, like Natalie Arroyo, or speaking from within their community like Twila Sanchez and Donna Hufford or can look like the patient but dedicated attention of Risa Lee and Joyce King who are making sure our community needs are getting met and our natural resources are being protected.”

As a candidate for the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, Mary Burke has centered her campaign on emergency preparedness and economic prosperity, and building a future in Humboldt County where we all live well. If elected, Burke would join Supervisors Natalie Arroyo and Michelle Bushnell to form the first-ever female majority on the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors since its inception in 1853.

“Mary Burke has the technical expertise and the heart for public service that the 5th District needs,” said Natalie Arroyo, Humboldt County 4th District Supervisor. “Her work on the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee and her deep understanding of our watersheds make her a prepared and effective leader. I am proud to stand with her as we work toward a more representative Board.”

Over the past 13 years, Mary has been dedicated to public service in her restoration work and on various Boards and committees in her community. Her work has led to meaningful improvements as McKinleyville local Joyce King says, “Her management of CalTrout’s successful salmon habitat restoration project with pocket park and trail has been a great gift to life in my McKinleyville neighborhood, and beyond, as we see the numbers of salmon and human visitors coming round now.” In Orick, Donna Hufford attests to her experience with Mary’s leadership to restore the Redwood Creek estuary, “We know that Mary will be committed to servicing the whole 5th District listening to their concerns, hopes, and dreams.” During her time on the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee, Twila Sanchez got to work alongside Mary Burke and says, “Mary is an outstanding community-focused professional with a compelling vision and adept knowledge on how to bring her ideas, as well as other people’s ideas, to fruition.” In the eastern county, Risa Lee in Willow Creek notes that “Mary has the resume, skills, and community service background to provide the 5th District with effective leadership to move us forward.” 

The Burke for Supervisor campaign has launched a roll out of endorsements on social media and the website, burkeforsupervisor.com. There will be an opportunity to meet the candidate at Six Rivers Brewery on April 11th from 4-6pm.