FORT BRAGG, CA., 6/28/26 — A nonpartisan workshop aimed at encouraging residents to run for Fort Bragg City Council attracted an engaged but older crowd at Town Hall on Thursday, June 25. Local democracy groups and the city clerk helped to outline the basics of campaigning and public service ahead of the July 13 opening of the nomination period.
The City of Fort Bragg’s municipal election — with three council seats up for full four‑year terms — will be consolidated with the Mendocino County General Election and the statewide midterm election on Nov. 3, 2026.
Charlene McAllister, president of the League of Women Voters of Mendocino County, said the event was organized with the league, the Grassroots Institute and the City of Fort Bragg to “get more people running for public office.”
“I’m hopeful we’ll get some people who will sign up to run,” she said.
Grassroots Institute volunteer Peter McNamee said the idea for the workshop originated with Laura Bianchi Limbird, a member of the local Pro‑Democracy Workgroup associated with the Grassroots Institute. Limbird said the group formed a year ago and discovered that a similar workshop had been held a few years earlier.
“Voting and civic engagement are the core of our civil rights, and planning for this workshop took several months,” she said. “It’s a wonderful group to work with, and we all worked together to make this happen.”
McNamee described the workshop as a way to counter intimidation and misinformation about campaigning. “This is a wonderful way to bring people together… where they get to ask questions directly from people who’ve run for office,” he said. Three former city council members took part in the event: Dave Turner, Bernie Norvell, and Jessica Morsell-Haye, who shared their experiences both as candidates and as city council members.
City Clerk Diana Paoli spoke first, outlining the nomination process and election requirements. She described the three four-year term council seats, and noted that candidates must be registered voters living within city limits. Nomination papers require at least 20 valid signatures and no more than 30, and there is no filing fee.
“File early — don’t wait till the last minute,” Paoli told attendees. She encouraged prospective candidates to make a one‑hour appointment to go over required steps and forms. She said filing early gives staff time to review paperwork and verify signatures with the Registrar of Voters.
The candidate filing and nomination period is scheduled for July 13 to August 7. If an incumbent chooses not to run, the date is extended to August 12 for non-incumbents. All candidates running for office in the November 3 General Municipal Election must complete all required paperwork to turn in to the City Clerk’s office by 5:00 p.m. on the due date.
Nomination papers are available from the City Clerk Department by calling 707-961-2823 ext.104 or by emailing cityclerk@fortbraggca.gov to make an appointment once the filing period has begun on July 13.
Both Paoli and the Grassroots Institute highlighted a variety of resources for candidates available on the Fort Bragg city elections website and the Mendocino County Registrar of Voters candidate online webpages.
The audience skewed older and largely consisted of residents already active in civic groups. Organizers said future events will need to reach a younger and more diverse group of community members who may not yet be engaged in local politics.
Former council members spoke of their experiences
Three former city council members — ex-mayors Dave Turner and Bernie Norvell, as well as former vice mayor Jessica Morsell-Haye — followed Paoli and described their experiences running for and serving on the council. Questions were provided by the moderator and from the audience and ranged from what inspired the candidates to run, advice on running a campaign and what lessons they learned.
Turner said he entered the 2002 race because of concerns about the mill site. “I wanted to get involved and try to make sure it was done right,” he said. The harder part, he added, was deciding to run at all. “What makes you actually decide to run — not just sit on the sidelines and wait for someone else to do it — that’s a tough question.”
Turner said he talked to a few people and received positive reinforcement. “If you’re thinking about it, you’re here, and that’s a start,” he told attendees. “We didn’t have this kind of background information when I ran. Talk to people. They’ll tell you if it feels right.” He said there is a steep learning curve to actually being on the council, even for those who closely follow city issues.
Morsell-Haye said she ran after a friend suggested it. “I said that was the worst idea I’d ever heard,” she said. But she reconsidered. “I’m all in on this town — I grew up in the area, moved back to raise my children, started a business, bought a house. What happened on the mill site was going to directly affect my future and my children’s future. If I didn’t at least throw my hat in the ring, I knew I’d be unhappy with the outcome.”
Norvell said his decision to run was 100 percent peer pressure. “I had been coaching high school and middle school wrestling for 14 years, so I knew a lot of people, and their main concern was the idea that we were losing the battle with homelessness, especially in the central business district downtown. And I agreed.”
Once elected, he added, “It was still a big learning curve.” His experience as a business owner and landlord meant he had spent years “fighting City Hall,” so he already understood how the city operated. He also used to watch meetings on Channel 3.
“Once I got involved, I realized the most important thing I did was figure out that the city clerk is one of the most important jobs in City Hall,” he said. “You can talk to other council members — they’ll give you their opinions on process — but the city clerk will give it to you straight.”
All three emphasized direct voter contact. “Knocking on doors is a big part,” Norvell said, estimating he spent about $5,000 on his campaigns. Morsell-Haye said yard signs were her most effective investment, followed by door hangers and, when she could afford it, a radio spot. “The radio reached people who don’t normally engage in politics,” she said. Turner advised candidates to “leave something at the door” and to use walking lists to reach registered voters.
Morsell-Haye urged candidates to meet with city staff before running. “It was one of the most valuable things you could do,” she said. Touring city infrastructure — water sources, wastewater facilities — gave her the foundation to answer questions with real knowledge rather than scripted talking points.
Norvell encouraged prospective candidates to spend time with the city clerk and ask questions. “If you’re considering running, talk to her. She’ll tell you what you can and can’t do, and she’ll help you understand how the city works,” he said.
Norvell said his campaign strategy was simple: “I really just focused on being out on the street, at the farmers market — putting up signs, and knocking on people’s doors. It was really the conversations I had during that work that mattered.”Turner added, “We are lucky to live in a small town where you can talk face-to-face with people. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to run.”
Despite the challenges, all three said serving on the council was meaningful. The work could be difficult, and balancing research, meetings and home life required discipline. They agreed that the chance to shape the community’s future made the effort worthwhile.
Morsell-Haye said her term ended in 2022, “and I still get calls — and when I am in public, people still come up to me.”
Norvell said of his council experience, “You have to set boundaries, and you have to be courteous.” Norvell now serves as the District 4 representative on the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors.
Norvell reminded attendees that council members do not supervise city staff. “You are not the boss of the city staff — the city manager is. You have to be mindful and respectful of the chain of command.”
The panelists also discussed the importance of attending state and regional conferences. “You have to get out of your sandbox,” Norvell said. “It is important for networking and learning.” Morsell-Haye said conferences help council members understand resources, funding opportunities and how to access them.
Panelists emphasized that serving on the council is about solutions, not personal preferences. Morsell-Haye said, “We don’t need politicians. This is a small community. We need people willing to do the work. Being on the council is trying to push to meet the common needs.”
Organizers said they hope the workshop will strengthen civic participation ahead of the fall election. “Running for public office is not easy,” the league’s McAllister said, . but it’s very rewarding.”
Paoli reminded attendees that “every vote matters.” To register to vote, she directed residents to the California Online Voter Registration website.
Thanks for the informative article. Fort Bragg needs the best people in our community to lead city government. Let’s hope we get some great candidates as the city grapples with thorny issues like the development of the Mill Site, upgrading water and sewage treatment, insuring a healthy local economy, transportation & streets, climate change, parks & recreation, and of course housing affordability.
Good candidates are critical. All three incumbents intend to run for re-election so a newcomer will likely have an uphill battle this year though.