Chris Rogers

Chris Rogers comes to Assembly District 2 with experience working for federal and state lawmakers and serving in Santa Rosa city government. Born and raised in Sonoma County, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a master’s degree in public administration from Sonoma State University. His career has included work in the district office of U.S. Representative Lynn Woolsey and as a senior staffer for State Senator Mike McGuire, as well as election to the Santa Rosa City Council. Rogers went on to serve as mayor, then ran for the Assembly after Jim Wood announced his retirement. His career has included staff work for elected officials, municipal government and, since December 2024, state elected office.

ROOTS AND STAFF WORK

Rogers was born on September 16, 1987, and raised in Sonoma County. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from UC Santa Barbara and a master’s degree in public administration from Sonoma State.

Rogers previously worked in the district office of U.S. Representative Lynn Woolsey and as a senior staffer for State Senator Mike McGuire. Those positions were part of his work for federal and state elected officials.

Rogers’s political career has included staff work for elected officials and service as an elected municipal official. He served as mayor after being selected for the position by the Santa Rosa City Council. Rogers lives in Santa Rosa with his wife, Sarah, a nurse.

CITY HALL TO THE ASSEMBLY

Rogers was first elected to the Santa Rosa City Council in 2016. He was reelected in 2020. The council selected him to serve as mayor of Santa Rosa from December 2020 through December 2022.

After incumbent Assemblymember Jim Wood announced his retirement, Rogers announced that he would run for Assembly District 2 in 2024. Rogers placed second in the primary, narrowly defeating California Democratic Party chair Rusty Hicks to advance.

In the general election, Rogers faced Republican Mike Greer. Rogers won with 65.9% of the vote, compared with Greer’s 34.1%. The victory brought Rogers to the California State Assembly. His Assembly role also differs from his earlier work as McGuire’s senior staffer: Rogers now holds elected state office.

WHAT TO KNOW

Rogers’s record in elected office begins with Santa Rosa city government. It includes election to the council in 2016, reelection in 2020 and two years as mayor after his selection by the council. That municipal service was followed by a successful campaign to represent Assembly District 2.

His career also includes work in Woolsey’s district office and as a senior staffer for McGuire. His electoral record includes election to the Santa Rosa City Council, service as mayor, a second-place finish in a close Assembly primary and a general-election victory with 65.9% of the vote.

Rogers is a Sonoma County native whose career has included congressional district-office work, service on a state senator’s staff and elected office in Santa Rosa. He has represented California’s 2nd Assembly District since December 2024.