Chris Coursey

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
Incumbent
Assumed office January 5, 2021
Preceded by	Shirlee Zane
Chair of the Sonoma County
Incumbent
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	(1954-11-21) November 21, 1954 (age 69)
Education	University 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] He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and sociology from the University of Northern Colorado.^[3]

Career

Coursey 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

Coursey'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

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 December 14, 2019.
3. "Zane and Coursey square off over supervisor seat in race like no other". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. February 9, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
4. "Chris Coursey for Santa Rosa City Council : About Chris". www.chris4santarosa.com. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
5. "Chris Coursey named new Santa Rosa mayor". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. December 6, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
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. March 2, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
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.