Race for one of Placer County’s top elected positions is underway. Find out who’s running

The race for one of Placer County’s top government seats is underway.

Dave Butler, a former Rocklin City Councilman, announced his campaign Wednesday for 3rd District county supervisor, which includes Rocklin, Loomis, Penryn and Newcastle.

Mike Murray — a Rocklin community member and former campaign manager for Kevin Kiley — has also thrown his hat in the race.

The seat is currently held by Supervisor Jim Holmes, who has represented the district for nearly 20 years but will be retiring at the end of his current term after new district boundaries adopted in 2021 meant Holmes no longer resided within the district.

Butler is endorsed by Supervisor Bonnie Gore, who represents the majority of Roseville, and former Supervisor Kirk Uhler.

He served on the Rocklin City Council for one term from 2012 to 2016. He previously worked as a CEO of NextEd, a nonprofit education group. He also served on the Placer County Economic Development Committee, the Placer County Charter Review Committee and the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

“I am running for supervisor to fight for Placer County and ensure our community remains a beacon of opportunity in California and a great place to live for our children and grandchildren,” he said in a statement.

Murray also said preserving Placer County’s way of life was a priority for him.

“The reason I am running for Supervisor is simple — I want my kids to live in the Placer County I grew up in,” he said in his campaign statement.

He is endorsed by Roseville City Councilman Tracy Mendonsa, Rocklin Unified School District Trustee Julie Hupp and Loomis Mayor Danny Cartwright.