Sheriff, Supervisor Races; Measure L: Napa County Primary Election

NAPA COUNTY, CA — Tuesday is the last day to vote in California’s primary. In Napa County, voters will choose a sheriff, two county supervisors, a state assembly member, a U.S. Congress member and vote on several local measures.

In the race for sheriff-coroner, Undersheriff Jon Crawford is seeking to unseat Sheriff Oscar Ortiz, who was appointed to the role in June 2021 when Sheriff John Robertson retired.

Both Crawford and Ortiz grew up in the Napa Valley and each has been with the Napa County Sheriff's Office for more than 20 years.

Ortiz most recently served as American Canyon police chief, and says his 26 years of experience with the sheriff's office has allowed him to "get to know our diverse community, form partnerships, and work in Emergency Management through fires, floods, earthquakes and a pandemic."

"I adhere to three basic principles: commitment to fairness, keeping our community safe, and
compassionately upholding the rule of law to build trust and transparency," Ortiz said in his candidate statement.

Crawford has 27 years of law enforcement experience — including 22 years with the sheriff's office — and is currently the second in command.

"I worked tirelessly each and every day overseeing the day-to-day operations of the department and making sure Napa County residents feel safe and secure," Crawford said in his candidate statement.

"Unfortunately, Napa County government is stumbling," Crawford said. "It is more important now than ever that we have steady, competent leadership in our law enforcement agencies. Strong, ethical leaders that can do the critical job of protecting our families, businesses, and neighborhoods. These are the values that I am committed to upholding as your next Sheriff. I will put aside the rhetoric and do the hard work of building trust and engaging with all members of the community."

1st District Supervisor Race

Four candidates are vying for the 1st District supervisorial seat currently held by Brad Wagenknecht. Unless one of the candidates garners more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters will head to a runoff election this fall. The district encompasses most of Downtown Napa as well as Browns Valley, Laurel Street/Premium Outlets, Carneros and Milton Road/Cuttings Wharf.

David Graves is a water/climate consultant and former Napa planning commissioner. Read more about Graves here.

Garrett Hale is a Napa native and world-traveled businessman, contractor and electrician. Read more about Hale here.

Joelle Gallagher currently serves on the Napa County Planning Commission and as executive director of First 5 Napa County. Read more about Gallagher here.

Suzanne Besu Truchard is an attorney, small businesswoman and mother. Read more about Truchard here.

3rd District Supervisor Race

Six candidates are vying for the seat currently held by Supervisor Diane Dillon. Unless one of the candidates garners more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters will head to a runoff election this fall. The district encompasses the City of Calistoga, City of St. Helena, Town of Yountville, Angwin, Pope Valley, Lake Berryessa, and the north edge of the City of Napa.

Rafael Rios is an attorney and Napa Valley native. He serves on the Napa Valley College Board of Trustees. Read more about Rios here.

Anna Chouteau is a St. Helena city councilwoman. Read more about Chouteau here.

Anne Cottrell is an attorney, a Napa County planning commissioner and a mother. Read more about Cottrell here.

"Cio" Lucio Perez is a vineyard owner and operator who grew up in St. Helena. Read more about Perez here.

John F. Dunbar has served as the Yountville mayor for 12 years. Read more about Dunbar here.

Matt Hooper is a retired biotech executive who has lived in Rutherford for 20 years. Read more about Hooper here.

U.S. Representative 4th District:

The following six candidates are vying to serve as the U.S. Congress member for the newly redrawn 4th District. Unless one candidate secures more than 50 percent of votes, the top two vote-getters will head to a runoff election this fall.

• Andrew David Engdahl
• Mike Thompson
• Scott A. Giblin
• Jason Kishineff
• Jimih Jones
• Matt Brock

CA Assembly 4th District:

Bryan Thomas Pritchard is seeking to unseat incumbent Cecilia Aguiar-Curry

County of Napa Measure L

Measure L is a countywide 1/4-cent sales tax that would remain in effect for 10 years and generate $10 million annually to enhance local fire protection and reduce wildfire risk in Napa County by: ensuring defensible space around homes, neighborhoods, and businesses; creating fuel breaks; reducing vegetation and flammable brush; improving early wildfire detection and suppression systems; and, clearing emergency access roads for first responders and residents.

City of American Canyon Measure I

American Canyon voters will decide on Measure I, which would establish term limits for council members and the mayor.

City of St Helena Measure G

Measure G would eliminate the office of the mayor being directly elected by the people; instead, the mayor would be a sitting council member elected by the five members of the city council.

City of St Helena Measure H

Measure H would allow the city council to authorize $19.5 million in bonds to repair and replace the city's aging drinking water system by annually levying $14.82 per $100,000 assessed value.

For a complete guide to statewide races, see the CalMatters California Election 2022 Voter Guide.