Six candidates are running for two open seats on the Ukiah City Council this year.
Two incumbents, Josefina Dueñas and Douglas Crane, are being challenged by four council hopefuls.
Dueñas currently serves as mayor. She says her experience as an immigrant, deaf, single mother with a college education offers a unique perspective to the council.
In Dueñas’ last constituent newsletter, dating to 2023, she said, “I want to use my background to help build deeper connections between our minority communities and our city government.”
In her candidate statement, she supports expanding housing, mental health care, educational access, higher paying jobs and services for older adults.
Crane is a longtime city councilmember, having served for 20 years in the role. Crane touts his major accomplishments as Ukiah’s recycled water pipeline system, water and sewer upgrades, the Lake Mendocino hydroelectric plant’s sustainability and the city’s tax-sharing agreement with Mendocino County.
If re-elected, Crane wants to improve infrastructure, including street repairs and upgrades, according to his candidate statement.
“I want to pursue solar energy generation and storage projects and programs toward Ukiah one day being energy independent and continue our lower-than-PG&E electric rates,” he said. He also wants to expand the recycled wastewater system program.
One of the four challengers is Heather Criss, who earned her bachelor’s degree at Sonoma State University and is a program administrator for Mendocino County Public Health.
According to her candidate statement, she “supports policies that create a better living environment for all of Ukiah’s residents.”
Her campaign website shares four areas of interest: homelessness, annexation, climate action, and safety and quality of life. She has been endorsed by Service Employees International Union Local 1021, the Mendocino Women’s Political Coalition and the North Bay Labor Council AFL-CIO.
John Strangio is also hoping for a position on the council. Strangio owns Ukiah Valley Athletic Club and served on the Redwood Valley-Calpella Fire District board for four years. During a candidate forum held in September and hosted by the Mendocino Women’s Political Coalition and the American Association of University Women, Strangio said one of his priorities is housing. Strangio did not submit a candidate statement, nor does he have a campaign website or social media account.
Ukiah, Calif., Councilmembers (L-R) Douglas Crane Josefina Duenas are running for reelection in 2024. (Triple S Camera via Bay City News)
Candidate Jacob Brown ran for the county Board of Supervisors in the most recent cycle, challenging 2nd District Supervisor Maureen Mulheren. He has been a vocal critic of the board and after not winning the election, has turned his sights towards the City Council.
Brown did not release a candidate statement. According to his campaign website for his supervisor run, Brown was born in Ukiah and graduated from Ukiah High School. He served as a Marine for eight years and deployed in Iraq for one year. After years of working in manufacturing, Brown is now a teacher at Ukiah Unified School District.
Brown participated in the September candidate forum and shared his support for annexation to expand housing. On his supervisor campaign website, priorities included safety, education, economic growth, environmental stewardship, health care access and government transparency.
The final challenger, Kristina Mize, is a reiki practitioner and life coach at Positive Life Journey. She has not released a candidate statement, nor does she have a campaign-related website or social media account. She did not attend the candidate forum in September.
Winners of the election will go on to serve four-year terms starting Dec. 1. Councilmembers have the opportunity to serve as mayor on a rotational basis.