John Sawyer’s story is one with deep roots in Santa Rosa. His Great Grandparents immigrated to Santa Rosa from Europe in the late 1890’s. They settled and planted vineyards in rural Bennett Valley, where the family’s original farmhouse stands to this day. It is this history that serves as the basis for John’s continued appreciation and love of the natural characteristics of Santa Rosa.

Bill and Lee Sawyer, John’s parents, raised their three boys to remain true to that history by becoming productive, active members in their community. John’s parents taught him the value of hard work and to always be dedicated, stay committed and never give up. Those traits remain instilled in him today.

In 1976, at age 21, John assumed the title of Manager of Sawyers News, Inc. By this time, the Newsstand had become a Sonoma County institution, as his Great Grandfather, Doc Sawyer and Grandfather Wilbur sold their first Santa Rosa paper in 1945.

Eventually, John became the sole proprietor of the family business up until its closing in 2010.

Wanting to continue his service in the community, John assumed an active role in volunteering. He was first elected to the Santa Rosa City Council in 2004 and served as its Vice Mayor and then Mayor in 2008. John was elected to his second term as Mayor in 2014, and has continued as an active member of the City Council since his Mayoral term ended in December 2016.

In addition to his City Council position, John currently serves as the Chairman of the Board – Santa Rosa Community Health and immediate past Chair of the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency. His current City Council appointments include: Long Term Financial Policy and Audit Subcommittee, Cannabis Subcommittee and the Downtown Subcommittee.

John also served on the Sonoma County Transportation Authority for five years and has held posts on the Downtown Development Association, Neighborhood Oriented Policing Citizen’s Advisory Board, Sonoma County Cultural Arts Council and the Luther Burbank Home and Garden Association to name a few.

As a Fourth-Generation resident, John Sawyer’s vision for our City is one based on his family’s long history in Santa Rosa and an understanding of the value of being committed to this community.

John was born in what is now City Council District 2 and has lived there for over 60 years.

Lee Pierce is a native of the northbay area. He was born and raised in St.Helena, California where he attended public schools from Kindergarten through his senior year.Upon graduation from St. Helena High School, among other honors and achievements, Lee had achieved his first elected office - Student Body President! After graduation (with honors), he spent a couple of semesters at Merritt College in Oakland, California before being drafted by the United States Army where he served his country for 6 years , returning home with an Honorable Discharge. Next, he returned to his pre-military, part-time employment as a dietary worker for Children's Hospital in San Francisco. He rose through the ranks very quickly becoming the Department Head of two different Dietary Departments (Children's Hospital and Adult Medical Center, S.F. and John Muir Memorial Hospital, Walnut Creek). After gaining International notariety for the creation of "The Candlelight Dinner" for post-partum patients and their guests while working in the Institutional Foodservice industry, he relocated to Sonoma County, went to work for The County of Sonoma as Grants Management Officer of the CETA Program before being recruited away by Hewlett Packard, Co., where after 6 years, he was recruited by a thin film coating company called Deposition Sciences, Inc. (DSI). Six years later, afgter growing DSI's Consumer Products and Marketing Division to the number one business unit of 5 total, Lee inked a deal with DSI who licensed him to distribute a new jewelry product. He and a future partner raised a half million dollars in start-up capital and built a patented Coating machine for their Jewelry products. The business ultimately dissolved at the end of 2008 due to a huge collapse in sales. Lee had been elected to the City Council in 2004 and his term ended in 2008. He then Started a business consulting company and shortly thereafter was recruited by a client who made him a nice compensation package (including healthcare and other benefits). Lee semi-retired after nearly 7 years working as Government Affairs and Employee Relations Manager for Industrial Carting and Global Materials Recovery Services. Currently, Lee is owner of TEOS GROUP, INC., a business consultancy.

Lee is a life long Democrat and is grateful to have the endorsements of the Sonoma County Democratic Party, The Sierra Club, The Concerned Citizens of Santa Rosa and the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW). Lee would like to see affordable housing and an end to homelessness in the city, good paying jobs that would allow young and old to cover their household expenses and be able to save for a raining day, while being good stewards of the environment.