Nau and Vazquez Will Seek District 3 Council Seat
Candidates are set to face off in the upcoming general election scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Elections
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Karen Nau and Eric Vazquez will compete for the District 3 seat on the Petaluma City Council during the general election on November 3, 2026. Voters in the North Bay have already begun receiving their mail-in ballots for the contest.
Why it matters
The outcome of this race will determine representation for the district as the city prepares for a major master planning process for the fairgrounds starting next year. The winner will help shape upcoming land-use policies and local infrastructure projects.
The race features two candidates vying for the single District 3 council seat in an election taking place on November 3, 2026. The specific results of the balloting remain pending the final tally of votes cast by mail and in person.
The players
Karen Nau
She is the incumbent Petaluma City Council member for District 3 who previously served a term from 2004 to 2008.
Eric Vazquez
He is a candidate for the District 3 council seat who works for EAH Housing and serves on the Petaluma Transit Advisory Committee.
Mike McGuire
He is a political leader who has provided an official endorsement for Eric Vazquez in the council race.
Chris Rogers
He is a public official who has endorsed Eric Vazquez for the upcoming District 3 election.
Damon Connolly
He is a regional official who has publicly endorsed the candidacy of Eric Vazquez.
The details
Incumbent Karen Nau, who previously served on the council from 2004 to 2008, currently holds the District 3 seat and maintains endorsements from local police and firefighters. Challenger Eric Vazquez serves on the boards of Sonoma County Conservation Action and the Petaluma Transit Advisory Committee, and is backed by Mike McGuire, Chris Rogers, and Damon Connolly.
Timeline
Karen Nau served a term on the city council from 2004 to 2008.
The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Petaluma plans to initiate a fairgrounds master planning process next year.
Political Context
The election follows the administrative patterns set by the California Voter's Choice Act regarding the widespread distribution of mail-in ballots. This approach has faced past legislative debates concerning ballot security and the transition away from traditional polling stations.
Residents of District 3 will decide on the council representative who will oversee local planning projects, including the upcoming fairgrounds master plan. Voters should ensure their mail-in ballots are postmarked or returned to designated drop boxes by the November 3 deadline.
The takeaway
Voters should review the endorsements and policy goals of both candidates to understand their positions on future land-use and infrastructure projects. Reviewing the mail-in ballot instructions early ensures that votes are counted correctly before the November 3 deadline.
What happens next
The general election is set to take place on November 3, 2026, when voters will officially cast their ballots to determine the District 3 representative.
Further reading
For additional context on local candidate platforms, visit the Petaluma Elections section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Northern California Public Media.
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