Ask A Former Sonoma Mayor: Impeachment?

We posed this question to four former Sonoma mayors: Given all that's been said and done, should the House impeach President Trump?

Here is how they responded:

Joanne Sanders (2008)

This is not a city council issue. Being on the Sonoma city council is a non-partisan position. I don’t believe we (as former mayors responding in the context of city issues) should be taking positions on national issues. It’s divisive. In this case, the House of Representatives has yet to take a vote. Let the democratic process run its course!

Ken Brown (2001, 2009, 2013)

“President” Trump should be impeached. He is giving my old home of Queens, New York City a bad name. The “Stormy” fiasco was a real true element that the voters ignored. We cannot ignore the Ukraine issue, using his hotels to make money for his coffers, his really bad hair, plus numerous weird items. His wife seems like a deer in the headlights, but his older children are a part of the scam. I voted for Bernie Sanders and will again. Never Hillary or Joe Biden. Neither one is much better than Trump. My plan is to never leave the safety of Sonoma Valley. Never ever!

Larry Barnett (2000, 2005)

Our system of checks and balances was created for good reason, and impeachment exists precisely because democracy can be corrupted and tyranny arise. When an unethical and corrupt president like Trump acts like a dictator by accruing all power to himself, he threatens the security of the entire world. At this point, it’s obvious that unless he is challenged, he will not stop; his incitement of “civil war” is too close to Hitler’s encouragement of the “Brown Shirts.”

Valerie Brown (1990)

As a former politician, working with the federal government, I understand why Congress is moving forward with impeachment. Conflict of interest is a very serious issue for those serving at the local, state or federal level. It provides a rule of law and transparency that protects the public. President Trump has to adhere to those standards. He is not above the law. I do worry an impeachment proceeding will further polarize the country.