In the early returns on election night, Larry Bragman and Matt Da Cunha were leading the race for seats on the Fairfax Town Council in a race shaped by lingering divisions over housing, development and the town’s future.
Bragman, with 1,152 votes, and Da Cunha, with 1,104, were leading the race for two open seats on the five-member council. Susan Denise Adams held third place with 887 votes.
The election followed a contentious year of debate over a proposed six-story, 243-unit apartment building at School Street Plaza proposed by Florida-based developer Mill Creek Residential. The conflict became the focus of an unsuccessful recall effort against Councilmember Lisel Blash and Mayor Stephanie Hellman in 2025. Blash and Hellman are not seeking reelection.
The development has not moved forward, Blash said in a pre-election interview. The town has not heard from the developer.
Under state housing laws, Fairfax must plan for at least 490 new residences by 2031, with additional zoned capacity bringing the total to 583.
Bragman, 72, is a retired environmental attorney, as well as a former council member and mayor. He is also a former Marin Municipal Water District director. He said it is an essential responsibility of the council to listen to residents and provide a respectful forum where all voices can be heard. He said he supports affordable housing that fits Fairfax’s infrastructure and environment, as well as greater local input over planning and zoning.
Da Cunha, 56, a retired firefighter who has lived in Fairfax for 46 years, made emergency preparedness and public safety central to his campaign. He also called for greater fiscal oversight and more town revenue to be directed toward streets, buildings and infrastructure. He said in his campaign that he hoped to bridge political divisions and bring residents and businesses together.
Adams, 76, a retired environmental attorney with more than 30 years of public-sector experience, campaigned on preserving Fairfax’s character and environmental qualities. She previously served on the Fairfax Open Space Committee and was endorsed by former council members Lisel Blash and Mayor Stephanie Hellman, who were targets of a failed 2025 recall campaign.
On the ballot for the Fairfax Town Council, two candidates appear who have no intention of taking office. Candidate Aubrey Harmon had 107 votes and candidate Cheryl Scorza had 96, although both had dropped out of the race before their names could be removed from the ballot.
Another candidate was Doug Kelly, 69, a Ross Valley Sanitary District board member, who held 7.3% of the vote as of election night.
In the race for town clerk, Bruce Ackerman was narrowly leading with 53% of the vote over Deborah Benson with 47%. Incumbent Talia Freidman was reelected and unopposed to serve as town treasurer.
