Chris Coursey (born November 21, 1954) is an American politician and former journalist serving as a member of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.[1] Representing District 3, Coursey assumed office in 2021. He previously served as the mayor of Santa Rosa, California from December 6, 2016 to December 18, 2018.
Chris Coursey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors from the 3rd district | |
| Assumed office January 5, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Shirlee Zane |
| Chair of the Sonoma County | |
| Assumed office January 10, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | James Gore |
| Vice Chair of the Sonoma County | |
| In office January 4, 2022 – January 10, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | James Gore |
| Succeeded by | David Rabbitt |
| Chair Pro Tem of the Sonoma County | |
| In office January 5, 2021 – January 4, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Shirlee Zane |
| Succeeded by | David Rabbitt |
| Mayor of Santa Rosa, California | |
| In office December 6, 2016 – December 18, 2018 | |
| Succeeded by | Tom Schwedhelm |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 21, 1954 |
| Education | University of Northern Colorado (BA) |
Early life and education
editThe son of a military officer, Coursey attended six different schools before graduating from Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado. He had previously lived in twelve cities across five states.[2] He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and sociology from the University of Northern Colorado.[3]
Career
editCoursey worked as a daily journalist in Colorado Springs, Colorado before moving to Santa Rosa, where he covered crime, government, and politics The Press Democrat. In 2007, he left his job to work on the Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit, (SMART) train project.[4] Coursey was elected to the Santa Rosa City Council in 2014, and served as mayor from 2016 to 2018. His vice mayor was Jack Tibbets, the youngest council member in city history.[5]
Coursey won election to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on March 3, 2020, with 54% of the vote over three-term incumbent supervisor Shirlee Zane.[1] Coursey’s win marked the first successful challenge to an incumbent of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors since 1984.[6]
Personal life
editCoursey's wife died of cancer in 2010. He has four children.[7] Coursey dated the widow Zane, his 2020 election opponent, from 2011 to 2014.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b Mary Callahan (March 4, 2020). "Susan Gorin, Lynda Hopkins reelected to Sononoma [sic] County Board of Supervisors". The Press Democrat. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "Full Biography for Chris Coursey". www.smartvoter.org. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
- ^ "Zane and Coursey square off over supervisor seat in race like no other". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. February 9, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- ^ "Chris Coursey for Santa Rosa City Council : About Chris". www.chris4santarosa.com. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
- ^ "Chris Coursey named new Santa Rosa mayor". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. December 6, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
- ^ Tyler Silvy (February 8, 2020). "Shirlee Zane and Chris Coursey square off in heated race for Sonoma County supervisor seat". The Press Democrat. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "Chris Coursey announces candidacy for Santa Rosa City Council seat". Petaluma Argus Courier. March 2, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
- ^ Tyler Silvy (January 23, 2020). "Sonoma County supervisor candidates Shirlee Zane, Chris Coursey trade jabs during debate". The Press Democrat. Retrieved July 4, 2020.