Jones-Carter and Sanders Competed for District 4 Seat

Melanie Jones-Carter and Terry Sanders are vying for the Santa Rosa District 4 City Council seat.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Civic

Jones-Carter and Sanders Competed for District 4 Seat

Live Poll

Do you trust the candidates running for city council to effectively address local budget concerns?

Melanie Jones-Carter and Terry Sanders have entered the race to represent Santa Rosa's District 4 on the City Council. The candidates have participated in forums hosted by the League of Women Voters to discuss their platforms.

Why it matters

The election will determine the future leadership of District 4, with both candidates offering distinct professional backgrounds and priorities for the city. Voters will decide who is best prepared to address Santa Rosa's budgetary and administrative challenges.

Melanie Jones-Carter brings experience managing over 500 employees and budgets exceeding $10 million. Terry Sanders has lived in Santa Rosa for more than two decades and holds multiple local leadership roles.

The players

Melanie Jones-Carter

She is a candidate for the Santa Rosa City Council who currently serves as vice chair for the Sonoma County Democratic Party, the Museum of Sonoma County, and Food for Thought.

Terry Sanders

He is a candidate for the Santa Rosa City Council who serves as a planning commissioner, a member of the waterways committee, and vice chair of the Memorial Hospital Board.

The details

Jones-Carter intends to assist the City Council in redesigning the local budget, while Sanders aims to leverage his established relationships with city staff and officials. Both are currently engaging with the public through forums hosted by the League of Women Voters.

Terry Sanders has lived in Santa Rosa for more than two decades.

Industry Dynamics

This contest highlights the evolving nature of local governance during the 2026 Santa Rosa municipal election cycle. The shift toward experienced administrative candidates reflects a broader trend in local politics favoring those with established public oversight records.

District 4 residents can influence the council's future budget redesign and administrative policy by participating in upcoming votes. Local forums provide the primary opportunity for voters to access candidate platforms and assess their professional experience.

The takeaway

Voters should evaluate how the candidates' distinct backgrounds in organizational management or commission-based leadership align with their personal priorities for the city. Engaging in candidate forums is the most effective way for residents to understand the candidates' long-term policy plans.