After terming out of office in 2020, former Livermore mayor John Marchand announced in a statement this week his plans to run for mayor again come November in light of current Mayor Bob Woerner's decision not to seek re-election amid health concerns.
"I'm disappointed that I can't run again but I think John is the best person to keep us on course," Woerner said, adding that while he will be prioritizing taking care of his health, he still intends to be involved in the community.
Marchand said in his statement that he was "deeply disappointed" to learn that Woerner would not be going for a second term in office but that he would be "honored to once again serve our community in this role."
Marchand previously served as mayor from 2011 through 2020. According to the city's established Municipal Code, he is eligible to run for mayor again despite previously reaching the term limit as he's been out of office for two years.
"No person who has served terms totaling eight consecutive years as mayor shall be qualified for further service in that office until he or she has a break in service in that office of at least two years," the code reads.
Similar rules apply to City Council members.
According to the code, "No person who has served terms totaling eight consecutive years as a Council member shall be qualified for further service in that office until he or she has a break in service in that office of at least two years."
Prior to announcing his new run for mayor, Marchand was listed as a candidate for the Zone 7 Water Agency Board of Directors as recently as last week but he said he has since withdrawn from the race.
"Community leaders have asked me to consider entering the Mayor's race. Recognizing that these are still turbulent and uncertain times, I have decided to withdraw from the Zone 7 election and run for Mayor of Livermore," Marchand said in his statement. A retired water chemist, Marchand previously served on the Zone 7 board, before his election to city office.
With Marchand bowing out of the Zone 7 race after filing his nomination paperwork, the remaining candidates for the ballot are incumbent directors Dennis Gambs, Sarah Palmer and Olivia Sanwong; former Dublin San Ramon Services District director Dawn Benson; and Todd Shinohara, a pharmacist.
There are four at-large seats on the Zone 7 board up for election in June. Director Michelle Smith McDonald of Dublin opted not to seek re-election.
During Marchand's previous tenure as mayor, Livermore saw the completion of several projects including Stockmen’s Park, the new emergency operations center and the dedication of Livermorium Plaza, which is set for completion in May. Marchand was also instrumental in changing the election date from odd years to even years, which resulted in savings to the city of over three-quarters of a million dollars per election, according to his statement.
Marchand is the first, thus far, to formally announce his plans for candidacy in the mayoral race.
