Novak out, Bowers runs in St. Helena

Filing deadline extended as incumbent decides to depart

By JESSE DUARTE
NVP Services

St. Helena City Councilmember Joe Potter and former Councilmember Sampson Bowers are the only candidates to have filed to run for the two available seats on the St. Helena City Council.

Councilmember Michael Novak, whose term is up, did not file for re-election by the Friday deadline for incumbents. As a result, the deadline to file has been extended to Wednesday, Aug. 13.

If no one else files by Wednesday at 5 p.m., Potter and Bowers will be shoo-ins in the November election.

Potter is running for his fourth consecutive term on the council.

Bowers is known in St. Helena politics for his role as spokesperson for the Living Rivers Council, the environmental group that used litigation to pressure the city to make major changes to its oft-delayed flood project.

On the St. Helena mayoral front, incumbent Del Britton is facing a challenge from Councilmember Bonnie Schoch.

Schoch has another two years on her council term, and if she is not elected mayor, she will still return to the council. If she is elected mayor, the council will appoint someone to fill the vacancy.

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