Meet John King
- Sonoma County Native: Raised on a Penngrove farm; lifelong values of hard work and land stewardship.
- Economic Expert: UC Santa Barbara degree in Business Economics & a professional background in finance and accounting.
- Blue-Collar Perspective: Active union operating engineer bringing hands-on experience to local government.
- Pragmatic Leader: Focused on government accountability, transparency, and measurable results.
- Core Mission: Protecting land and water, supporting local agriculture, and ensuring community resilience.
John on KPCA Radio:
Listen to an in-depth conversation with John as he joins KPCA Radio to discuss his vision for our community’s future and his candidacy for Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, District 2.
With deep roots in Sonoma County and a background in construction and union leadership, John King isn’t just talking about the issues—he has the hands-on experience to fix them. In this interview, John breaks down his "no-nonsense" approach to the most pressing challenges facing Petaluma, Cotati, Rohnert Park, and our rural communities.
What Sonoma County Needs Right Now
Sonoma County is facing real challenges—from increasing traffic and safety concerns in rural communities to the long-term protection of our groundwater and natural resources.
John King doesn’t just understand these issues—he’s taken action to address them. His work is grounded in years of hands-on experience, advocacy, and results, with a focus on practical solutions that protect our communities and strengthen our future.
Accountability & transparency
Ensuring county government works for the people—with clear oversight and responsibility.
Traffic & Public Safety
Improving safety, traffic flow, and infrastructure in rural communities.
Responsible Development
Supporting smart growth that strengthens our economy without compromising our resources.
Preserving Agricultural land
Protecting farmland and open space that support our economy and way of life.
Protecting our water
Safeguarding groundwater from overdevelopment and ensuring long-term sustainability.
John's 1903 Curved Dash Oldmobile Pebble Beach restoration
- Guest speaker at the Governor’s Office and UC Davis on groundwater depletion and successful litigation strategies.
- Secured speed bumps on Davis and Dutch Lanes to discourage commute bypass traffic on rural back roads.
- Authored binding General Plan language on water, ag land, and traffic, personally funding legal oversight for accuracy.
- Sponsored and endorsed the first female member of the Penngrove Social Firemen.
- Successfully blocked a large nighttime sports complex project in rural Penngrove.
- Relocated mailboxes on Petaluma Hill Road to eliminate the need for residents to cross high-speed traffic.
- Served on the Penngrove Area Plan Advisory Committee to defeat a proposed 6-lane intersection.
- Raised over $40,000 door-to-door for water litigation and refunded 100% of donations to supporters after winning.
- Won a lawsuit against Rohnert Park to stop excessive groundwater pumping and basin collapse.
- Defeated a speculator’s lawsuit, permanently protecting 178 acres of rural farmland from high-density development.
A Lifetime of Service in Sonoma County
“I believe in standing up for what’s right and will always defend the natural resources we prize, our safety as residents, and the tranquility of rural Sonoma County we enjoy every day.”
- John E. King, Penngrove Resident
Standing Up
for Sonoma County
John King has a proven record of standing up for the people and natural resources of Sonoma County—not just in words, but through action.
When groundwater supplies were threatened by overdevelopment, John led a lawsuit to challenge over-pumping and protect critical water resources. Working alongside community members and legal experts, his efforts helped safeguard farmland and groundwater recharge areas across the region.
This lawsuit was chosen as one of the most important actions filed in 35 years of CEQA history, and John has been recognized for his leadership in protecting Sonoma County’s natural resources, including being honored as an “Everyday Hero” in a book published by the Planning and Conservation League.
As Supervisor, John will continue to fight for responsible growth, protect our water and agricultural lands, and ensure Sonoma County remains strong for future generations.
CEQA Everyday Heroes
Putting People Over Profits
Shortly after the voters approved the legalization of Cannibis in Sonoma County I began to get calls and lots of visitors to the ranch (132.5 acres) I call home on Adobe Road located at the edge of Penngrove. The question was would I be willing to lease land and buildings for growing operations? I was a bit surprised and somewhat puzzled as to why this ranch was getting so much attention. The answer was simple, this ranch has a rare combination of much needed utilities – Natural Gas lines that were brought here in 1923 for gas fired brooder hoods to keep baby chicks warm until their feathers developed, the other draw was the existence of high voltage (12,000 Volts) 3-phase power. The combination of these would make possible the ability to build a large nursery for plant starters.
Lots of talk and finally someone put a contract in my hand, requiring I lease 6 acres and make available two buildings to be used for 9 months each year. Each year I would be paid in cash the sum of $1,620,000. Since growing cannabis is still a federal violation, banks are Federally regulated so growers cannot run money through a bank. If I live to be 100, I will never be able to make that kind of money with my current farming practice of growing hay silage for dairy cows. I believe what I do is important to the dairies that buy the crop each year.
JOhn Shares His story...
I had to make a decision – it did not take long for me to decline the offer and simply say no for several reasons:
- Although I had a new 386’ deep well, I was not convinced it would provide sustainable water yields for years to come and cannabis consumes huge volumes of water.
- The next reason was the grower’s unwillingness to use charcoal air filters in their grow-houses ensuring the exhausted air quality would be dramatically improved reducing or eliminating the impacts on neighbors. I believe I have that responsibility to others. Its the way rural Sonoma County farmers used to look out for each other.
I now know the Cannibis Ordinance is riddled with flaws allowing grow operations to setup in areas where they simply do not belong, setbacks are not enough, minimum parcel sizes are often too small, there is not enough sustainable groundwater available, and they often become messy dump sites that are an eyesore. Did you know Sonoma County Cannabis grant money was given to a grower who was delinquent in paying property taxes? Another example of reckless oversight by Sonoma County Administrators.
I have no regrets in turning down the offer and want to acknowledge when I am elected, I will pursue reworking the ordinance to address the issues at hand. I will rely on extensive thoughtful community input to make this right.
I am John King and I thought you should know.
Respectfully,
John E. King
