Yountville Candidates outline priorities in mayor, council races
The candidate statements filed by all seven candidates in the race for Yountville mayor and town councilmember seats shared common themes and initiatives around topics such as continuity versus change, the Yountville Commons, transparency, fiscal responsibility and preserving quality of life.
Mayoral candidates
Yountville’s two candidates for mayor presented voters with different leadership messages in their candidate statements. Incumbent Mayor Marjorie Mohler emphasized community, collaboration and preservation, while challenger Joe Tagliaboschi highlighted experience, service and knowledge of town government.
Mohler centered her statement on what she calls the “power of community,” listening, trust and consensus. She pledged to “listen, bring people together, and ensure every voice is heard,” while protecting quality of life, supporting local businesses, honoring veterans and preserving Yountville’s small-town character.
Tagliaboschi shared his experience and record of service. A U.S. Navy veteran, he served as the town’s public works director from 2014 until retiring in 2021 and later served as an appointed Town Council member. He said his decades of relationships shaped his understanding of the community and the need to honor Yountville’s history while planning for a sustainable future and added that his experience would help the council “thoughtfully manage our resources.”
The statements did not cover specific town policies or projects, and neither mentioned the Yountville Commons site.
Town Councilmember Candidates
Jessi Bugden, Matthew Chrzanowski, incumbent Robin McKee, incumbent Hillery Trippe and Jill Turner, the five candidates seeking seats on the Yountville Town Council, emphasized transparency, fiscal stewardship, community engagement, preserving the town’s character and the future of the Yountville Commons in their statements.
Bugden, a registered nurse, wrote that she is a younger resident who will bring “fresh energy” to town government. She emphasized Yountville’s financial health and small-town character while making fiscal responsibility, transparency, respect and professionalism central to her campaign. Bugden also said that residents should be informed, engaged and “genuinely included” in the civic process.
Chrzanowski similarly offered a new-generation perspective, stating that Yountville is the place where he and his family have chosen to raise their daughter. He pointed to his doctorate in chemistry as preparation for evaluating evidence and solving problems, his teaching experience as strengthening his communication skills and his work in the wine industry as providing insight into business. He emphasized listening, collaboration, integrity and that he would “approach challenges from different perspectives.”
McKee, seeking another term after four years on the council, wrote that businesses and tourism are essential to Yountville but “must carry equal weight with resident needs, health and wellness — not come before them.” Regarding to the Yountville Commons project, she said, “We should scrap it and start over with a plan that reflects our town and our employees’ needs.”
Trippe, also seeking a second term, centered her statement on integrity, accountability and public deliberation. A business attorney and former risk-management executive, she said important town issues should be discussed “openly and thoroughly” at public meetings, and council members must be accountable for decisions. She also advocated citizen advisory committees to help shape policy. “I will work with integrity on the important issues facing our town, including support for affordable housing, ongoing stewardship of the town finances,” she said.
Turner, a businessperson and longtime Yountville homeowner, emphasized her professional background in marketing, consulting, property management and investments, and said her experience and perspective can contribute at a “pivotal and exciting time.” Turner stated that she wants to help “advance the Yountville Commons project,” explore opportunities for the town to thrive and strengthen engagement among residents, businesses and veterans.
