Cottrell, Gallagher unopposed; Napa County’s all-female board likely to continue
Napa County’s first all-female Board of Supervisors is expected to remain the same.
The two supervisors up for re-election this year, Anne Cottrell and Joelle Gallagher, are running unopposed in the June 2 contest.
No other candidates filed election papers by 5 p.m. Friday, according to Napa County Registrar of Voters John Tuteur. Barring a successful write-in nomination campaign, Cottrell and Gallagher could be seated for their second, four-year terms in January 2027. Write-in nominations are allowed from April 6 to May 19.
Cottrell is running in District 3, which includes Calistoga, St. Helena and Yountville, as well as Pope Valley, Angwin and Lake Berryessa. Gallagher represents District 1, which includes most of downtown Napa as well as Laurel Street, the “ABC” streets, the Terrace neighborhood and Carneros.
Cottrell’s priorities as a supervisor include “wildfire preparedness, groundwater protection, preserving agricultural and open spaces, economic stability, affordability for working families, and building a community for all,” according to her campaign statement submitted to the Elections Office.
“I believe our country thrives when government listens, works across differences and makes careful decisions. I’m proud of our progress and am committed to helping Napa County stay welcoming, resilient and ready for the opportunities ahead.”
Born and raised in St. Helena, Cottrell graduated from Yale and later obtained a law degree from UC Berkeley. She has worked as a land-use and environmental resources attorney. Earlier in her career, she worked for Oregon Attorney’s General Office. Cottrell and her family live in St. Helena.
Joelle Gallagher grew up in Sonoma and graduated from the University of Santa Clara with a degree in psychology.
“Over the past four years, I have worked to build trust between local government and our community. That means listening first, communicating clearly, and making sure decisions reflect the voices of the people most affected,” Gallagher said in her campaign statement filed with the Elections Office.
“Together, we’ve made progress. We laid the groundwork for Napa County’s long-term future using data and science to guide smart growth and infrastructure decisions. We advanced climate action and strengthened groundwater protections to safeguard our water supply. We invested in housing solutions that have reduced homelessness and added workforce housing, committed millions to wildfire prevention, supported fair wages for public employees, and launched a new behavioral health campus to expand access to care.”
Gallagher, who has lived in Napa since 1992, served as executive director of Cope Family Center and First 5 Napa County. She also has been executive director of the Napa County Farm Bureau and the Napa Valley Grape Growers Association.
Cottrell and Gallagher both served for years on the Napa County Planning Commission before their election to the Board of Supervisors.
Both have received the endorsements of U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena; State Sen. Chris Cabaldon, D- West Sacramento, and fellow supervisors.
Napa County’s first female supervisor was Virginia “Ginny” Simms, who was elected to the board in January 1973.
Cottrell’s current assignments include Napa Valley Transportation Authority; Napa Local Agency Formation Commission; National Association of Counties; California State Association of Counties; California Wildlife and Forest Resilience Taskforce and Rural County Representatives of California.
Gallagher’s assignments include the California State Association of Counties; Association of Bay Area Governments; Bay Area Air District Board of Directors; Napa/Solano Area Agency on Aging Oversight Board and Workforce Alliance of the North Bay.
