Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo Makes History In Sonoma County

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Sonoma County broke new ground: Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo is the county board's first Latina chair, stepping into the role as the region faces intense challenges and shifting priorities on all fronts.

Hermosillo was elected chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors for 2026, becoming the first Latina to lead the five-member board in the county's 176-year history.

“I recognize the significance of this moment,” she said in a statement. “I am here because my parents sacrificed, because so many friends and families worked twice as hard to get where they are for a better chance for themselves and their families.”

Hermosillo was endorsed by her colleagues during the board’s annual reorganization Tuesday.

She said the year ahead will bring challenges as Sonoma County navigates economic uncertainty and shifting priorities at the state and federal levels. “Fiscal responsibility will be essential,” she said, stressing the need to carefully manage limited public resources while strengthening partnerships and ensuring residents feel heard and valued in county decisions.

Elected in 2024, Hermosillo represents District 1, which includes east Santa Rosa and the Sonoma Valley. She served as vice chair in 2025 under then-chair Lynda Hopkins.

Hopkins thanked her colleagues and the county's more than 4,300 employees for their work on behalf of the public.

“We have amazing human beings who show up every day to make our community just a little bit better. To be a part of that team is really the greatest privilege of my working life,” Hopkins said before passing the gavel to Chair Hermosillo.

Supervisor Chris Coursey was named vice chair, and Supervisor David Rabbitt was selected as chair pro tem.

Coursey, who represents District 3 including much of Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park, was elected in 2020 and reelected in 2024. He previously served as board chair in 2023.

“This is a proud and historic moment for Sonoma County,” Coursey said. “Chair Hermosillo’s leadership reflects the diversity of our community and the progress we continue to make in ensuring everyone has a seat at the table," he said in a statement. "I look forward to supporting her and my colleagues on the Board as we navigate the year ahead together.”