Chris Coursey

Chris Coursey (born November 21, 1954) is an American politician and journalist who became Supervisor-elect of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors in March 2020.[1] Representing District 3, Coursey will take office in 2021. He served as the mayor of Santa Rosa, California from December 6, 2016 to December 18, 2018.

Chris Coursey
Member-elect of the
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
from District 3
Assuming office
January 5, 2021
SucceedingShirlee Zane
Mayor of Santa Rosa, California
In office
December 6, 2016 – December 18, 2018
Succeeded byTom Schwedhelm
Personal details
Born (1954-11-21) November 21, 1954
Alma materUniversity of Northern Colorado (BA)

Early life and education

The 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] Coursey then moved to Santa Rosa when he was 25 years old. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and sociology from the University of Northern Colorado.[3]

Career

He worked as a daily journalist in Colorado Springs, Colorado, then with The Press Democrat, covering crime, government, and politics. 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

Coursey's wife died of cancer in 2010. He has four children.[7] Coursey dated Shirlee Zane, his 2020 election opponent, from 2011 to 2014.[8]

References
  1. Mary Callahan (March 4, 2020). "Susan Gorin, Lynda Hopkins reelected to Sononoma [sic] County Board of Supervisors". The Press Democrat. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  2. "Full Biography for Chris Coursey". www.smartvoter.org. Retrieved 2019-12-14.
  3. "Zane and Coursey square off over supervisor seat in race like no other". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. 2020-02-09. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  4. "Chris Coursey for Santa Rosa City Council : About Chris". www.chris4santarosa.com. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  5. "Chris Coursey named new Santa Rosa mayor". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. 2016-12-06. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  6. 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.
  7. "Chris Coursey announces candidacy for Santa Rosa City Council seat". Petaluma Argus Courier. 2017-03-02. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  8. Tyler Silvy (January 23, 2020). "Sonoma County supervisor candidates Shirlee Zane, Chris Coursey trade jabs during debate". The Press Democrat. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
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