MENDOCINO CO., 12/26/25 — Eric Hart, a Willits resident who participates in several community organizations and nonprofits, will run for the District 3 seat on the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors.
District 3 covers the region including Covelo, Laytonville, and Willits. The current District 3 Supervisor, John Haschak, will not be seeking re-election.
Hart, who has lived in Mendocino County since 2019, said in an interview that he has connected deeply to the people of Willits and wants to help strengthen the community.
“I’m not so interested in politics, but I’m very interested in improving the community,” Hart said. “I’ve enjoyed using my skills in local organizations. People suggested I consider doing something at a larger scale.”
Hart said two of his colleagues from the Inland Mendocino Democratic Club asked him if he had considered running for the Board of Supervisors. After a long discussion between them, Hart decided that he could use his skills in a government role that would make a difference in the community.
“I asked a lot of questions. I realized I could do the same thing I had been doing, but I can do it somewhere I make a bigger difference for the community,” Hart added. “My wife, who is a local physician, is 100% supportive.”
Hart is new to government but passionate about local projects and initiatives, and he said that if elected, he would work to help Mendocino County to the best of his ability.
Hart is on the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council Board of Directors and is chair of the Ridgewood Fire Safe Council, just south of Willits.
Hart also serves on the Willits Center for the Arts Board of Directors and firmly believes in enhancing art and creativity in the community, in addition to other initiatives.
“I want to help protect Mendocino County’s greatest assets,” Hart said. “We have good people, a beautiful environment, abundant water, a creative culture and independent communities.”
The election that could decide the District 3 supervisor seat will be held June 2, 2026, during California’s statewide primary. If no candidate gets a majority of the vote, the two top candidates would advance to the general election in November.
I am sure Eric is a sweet and nice guy but right off the bat I am concerned that Covelo will get even worse representation if he wins. This kind and gentile person seems like a good guy but immediately he is off to a rocky start acting like a community decimated by the fall of the cannabis industry is going to improve things for people who are struggling financially by ignoring the 900 lb gorilla in the room–the BoS mishandling of the cannabis program and the absolute massacre of the local economy. A guy who basically doesn’t have to work telling a bunch of people who have lost everything is a recipe for disaster. He seems like a guy to hang out with and talk about a good pod cast but does he understand the level of corruption and the level of heartbreak this district has dealt with for the last decade? Probably not since he just moved here in 2019.
Indeed the BOS handling of the cannabis industry, has been nothing short of criminal, its one of the reasons I ran in 2018, and a huge opportunity for our County was wasted, but its , perhaps, not too late, if he’s willing, There are great people in his District that can educate him start with Casey O’neill and then keep going!!
Buffey Bourassa is running for this seat also. She’s got real experience working for the County. Public Health department and the jail. She started the Restorative Justice program, is a member of the Sherwood Pomo tribe, and she is smart, strong and beautiful. She’ll make a great Supervisor!