Jones-Carter Leads Early Vote in District 4

Melanie Jones-Carter holds an early lead over Terry Sanders in the contested Santa Rosa City Council District 4 race.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a plain civic building facade with an empty flagpole under a pale evening sky, evoking local civic decision-making. — Melanie Jones-Carter held an early lead of 57.56 percent over Terry Sanders in the contested Santa Rosa City Council District 4 race, based on 5,714 counted ballots. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Melanie Jones-Carter led Terry Sanders in early returns for Santa Rosa City Council District 4, holding 57.56% of the vote to Sanders' 42.44% across 5,714 counted ballots. District 4 was the lone contested council race on the Santa Rosa ballot, while Mayor Mark Stapp and Councilmember Jeff Okrepkie won reelection unopposed.

Why it matters

The race will determine who represents District 4 after incumbent Victoria Fleming announced she would not seek reelection. Jones-Carter said she ran to ensure a progressive voice on the council.

Early results show 5,714 counted ballots against 19,202 registered voters in District 4, a turnout figure that will be measured against the final certified count. The lead reflects only early returns, and the final margin remains unresolved until all ballots are tallied.

The players

Melanie Jones-Carter

Jones-Carter is a candidate for Santa Rosa City Council District 4 with a career in business operations and management, including operations roles overseeing budgets in excess of $10 million.

Terry Sanders

Sanders is a candidate for Santa Rosa City Council District 4 who began working on the Santa Rosa Planning Commission in 2022.

Victoria Fleming

Fleming is the incumbent District 4 councilmember who was first elected in 2018 and endorsed Jones-Carter after announcing she would not seek reelection.

The details

Jones-Carter and Sanders campaigned by knocking on doors and holding community listening sessions. Early results were posted by the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters after 8 p.m. on election day.

2018: Victoria Fleming first elected to the council.
2022: Sanders began working on the Santa Rosa Planning Commission.
Earlier in 2026: Fleming announced she would not seek reelection.
November 3, 2026: Election day, with early returns posted after 8 p.m.

Political Context

Fleming's 2018 election to the council began a tenure that ends with her decision not to seek reelection in 2026, opening the District 4 seat. Jones-Carter's endorsement from Fleming and her stated goal of a progressive voice position the race as a succession contest rather than a challenge to the incumbent.

District 4 residents in McDonald Avenue, Junior College, Hidden Valley and Fountaingrove neighborhoods will be represented by the winner of this seat. The council decision will shape local policy for the district's 19,202 registered voters.

The takeaway

Local council races are often decided by a few hundred votes, so checking final certified results after the count finishes is worthwhile. Residents can track the outcome through the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters.